The Niger State Police Command has successfully rescued 35 kidnapped victims from multiple locations across the state in a series of coordinated operations conducted between July 3 and 5.
The operation, which followed intelligence reports of bandits fleeing from the Birnin-Gwari forest due to intensified clearance efforts by security forces, was confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun.
According to Abiodun, among those rescued were 24 victims, including women and children who had been held captive for over a year.
The victims were recovered from locations including Pandogari, Madaka, Allawa, Sarkin-Pawa, and parts of Taraba State, as they were being moved toward Yauri in Kebbi State.
“Police tactical teams intercepted a vehicle on the Madaka-Makujeri road driven by one Yusuf Abdullahi, who was transporting the victims to Yauri where they were to be handed over to other members of the kidnapping network,” the statement said. “Some victims were also dropped in Tegina.”
The driver, Yusuf Abdullahi, was arrested, while the victims were given medical attention before being reunited with their families.
In a separate operation on July 4 around 4:30 p.m., 11 more victims, comprising five women and six children, were intercepted in Agwara as they attempted to cross into Yauri.
The Divisional Police Officer in Agwara took them into custody. Two rifle magazines and 60 rounds of live ammunition were recovered during the operation.
The victims have since been transferred to the State Police Headquarters in Minna for further investigation.
Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, commended the efforts of the joint security forces involved in the rescue missions.
He also urged residents to provide credible information that could assist in rescuing more victims and apprehending those still at large.
Investigations are ongoing, the police confirmed.
