The bandits took the traders into the forest while the policemen that accompanied them went missing.
The Kaduna State Police Command says its operatives have rescued 48 traders who were abducted by bandits along the Birnin Gwari-Kaduna Road.
The traders who were travelling in a convoy and escorted by a police team, were abducted on Wednesday after bandits opened fire on them.
The bandits took the traders into the forest while the policemen that accompanied them went missing.
However, the police in Kaduna, while confirming the incident on Thursday, said the force gave the bandits a hot chase and rescued 48 abducted traders.
Mohammed Jalige, the state police spokesman said, “On the 22nd December, 2021, at about 0930hrs a team of Policemen while escorting a convoy of traders from Udawa village in Chikun LGA along Birnin Gwari to Kaduna came under heavy gunshots by armed bandits which led to the kidnap of a score of persons.
“However, the escort team reinforced themselves and engaged the bandits in a tactical pursuit in order not to harm the victims.
“Thus, the precision of approach exhibited by the Officers forced the bandits to retreat, abandoning their victims and scampered with bloody gunshot wounds.”
He, however, said information available to the command indicated that one woman had yet to be accounted for, adding that efforts were being intensified to ensure her safe return.