Jazan Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Nasser has honored policeman Mohammed Al-Shuwaihy for his efforts in foiling an attempt to kidnap a woman lecturer at Jazan University.

Al-Shuwaihy, an undercover traffic policeman, found the woman traveling with a Saudi man, 28, to reach the university. She sought the man’s assistance when her regular driver did not turn up to pick her on time.

The lady, who was living in a flat in the airport district of Jazan city, was surprised when the Saudi started driving toward Sabya, instead of going to the university.

“The man then asked the woman to give him her ATM card and its password and threatened to kill her if she refused,” sabq.org electronic newspaper reported on Wednesday, quoting a security source.

The driver then encountered a traffic inspection on the road and he tried to turn the car in the opposite direction, violating regulations.

Al-Shuwaihy, who was present at the checkpoint, asked the Saudi to stop the car but he refused to stop. The officer found a lady sitting behind the car and was trying to get out of it but she could not get out.

The man then took the car to an unpaved road in order to prevent police from tracking him but the vehicle overturned because of its speed.

Bloggers have urged Saudi and foreign women not to get into vehicles of unknown people or private taxis run by unknown individuals.

Another blogger commended the security officers for their dedicated efforts to ensure the safety and security of Saudis and foreigners.

“Al-Shuwaihy deserves honor and we are proud of police officers like him,” said Badr Al-Amry, describing Al-Shuwaihy as one of the best policemen in Jazan.