The Niger State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has successfully rescued 35 kidnap victims; mostly women and children, from suspected Boko Haram insurgents, ending over a year of captivity for many of the victims.
The daring rescue operation took place along the Madaka-Makujeri Road, where police tactical teams intercepted a vehicle attempting to transport the victims to Yauri in Kebbi State. The captives were reportedly abducted from various locations, including Pandogari, Madaka, Allawa, Sarkin-Pawa, and Taraba State.
The vehicle’s driver, identified as Yusuf Abdullahi of Birnin-Gwari, was apprehended during the rescue. He was allegedly transporting the victims to Yauri to be handed over to another cell of the terrorist group. The victims were immediately taken for medical attention before being reunited with their families.
Additional victims; five women and six children, were intercepted on July 4 in Agwara while attempting to cross a river en route to Yauri. A Divisional Police Officer (DPO) took custody of the victims and recovered two magazines and 60 rounds of live ammunition.
Confirming the operation, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, stated that investigations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining Boko Haram terrorists and secure the release of other captives still in the forest.
“From July 3 to 5, police tactical teams intercepted several kidnapped victims being relocated by bandits fleeing Birnin-Gwari forest due to military clearance operations,” Abiodun said in the statement.
He added that the rescued victims were transferred to the State Police Headquarters in Minna for further investigation and support.
Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, commended the joint security teams for their bravery and urged the public to provide credible information that could aid in the ongoing operations against banditry and insurgency.
