Police authorities in Niger State have successfully rescued 23 victims who had been kidnapped across multiple incidents. Wasiu Abiodun, the state’s police spokesperson, confirmed the operation, detailing that 19 of the rescued were passengers travelling in a Toyota bus, registered as LG 08 DGS, on the Tegina-Zungeru road. The passengers, journeying from Sokoto State to Bayelsa State, were abducted by gunmen in the Gidan-Kwakwa area.
Upon receiving the distress call, a joint security tactical team launched an intensive operation, tracking the kidnappers’ movements. Under sustained pressure from law enforcement, the kidnappers abandoned 12 of their captives in the Pangugari forest, within Rafi Local Government Area, around 6:42 a.m. on November 2. Later that evening, the remaining seven passengers were freed unharmed, bringing the total number of rescued individuals from this incident to 19.
After their rescue, the victims were given immediate medical attention at a local clinic before returning to Sokoto State on November 3.
In a separate incident, Abiodun revealed that four additional victims were taken when kidnappers targeted a vehicle with registration number LND 863 YF. The vehicle had been traveling from Yawuri, Kebbi State, to Asaba, Delta State, when it was intercepted by the armed assailants.
The rescue operations underscore ongoing security efforts by the police in addressing the surge in kidnappings and protecting travellers in the region.
