Olusegun Ariyo
The Niger State Police Command has rescued 35 kidnapped victims, including women and children, as suspected bandits attempted to transport them to Yauri in Kebbi State.
Urban Express News gathered that the victims were abducted from several communities in Niger State, namely Pandogari, Madaka, Allawa, and Sarkin-Pawa, as well as from Taraba State.
According to the command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the victims were rescued during multiple operations conducted between July 3 and 5.
In one of the operations along the Madaka–Makujeri road, police tactical teams intercepted a vehicle driven by Yusuf Abdullahi, a resident of Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, who was allegedly transporting 24 victims to Kebbi to be handed over to another group of bandits.
Some abductees had already been dropped off in Tegina to continue the journey in another vehicle, police said.
The driver was arrested, and the rescued individuals were taken to a medical facility for treatment and assessment.
In a related operation on July 4, officers in Agwara intercepted another group, five women and six children, attempting to cross a river into Kebbi.
They were taken into protective custody. During the operation, police recovered two magazines and 60 rounds of live ammunition.
SP Abiodun stated that investigations are ongoing, with efforts underway to rescue more victims and apprehend other members of the kidnapping network.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, commended the officers for their swift intervention and urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to support security operations.
