A joint security patrol team including men of the Nigeria Police and members of the Sokoto State Community Guard have foiled a kidnap operation on a commercial vehicle by gunmen suspected to be armed bandits.

The incident took place at Kwanar Mahalba along Goronyo-Sabon highway in the troubled eastern senatorial district of Sokoto State.

Seven passengers including children were rescued by the security operatives as other passengers ran into the bush before the arrival of security operative. One of the passengers was shot dead by the bandits.

The rescued victims were presented to the state deputy governor, Muhammad Idris Gobir, who commended the effort of security operatives, saying that in the last four days, the joint patrol team has rescued a total number of 63 victims from bandits.

The deputy governor said the breakdown of the figure shows that 24 victims were rescued last Sunday, 39 on Monday and 7 were rescued on Wednesday.

He said that efforts were being intensified by the state government in collaboration with the Federal Government in tackling the activities of Lakurawa terrorists.

According to him, security was being beefed up in areas known to have members of Lakurawa.