Police operatives in Kebbi State have rescued four kidnapped victims in two separate operations carried out in Shanga and Maiyama Local Government Areas of the state.
The operations, according to the command, also led to the arrest of a suspect, the killing of one bandit, and the recovery of arms and ammunition.
Spokesperson of the command, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar, said in a statement that the first incident occurred around 12:30am on Monday, when armed kidnappers invaded Kwari village in Giron Masa district, Shanga LGA, and abducted two men identified as 24-year-old Niger Suleiman and 28-year-old Yunwa Suleiman.
He said the Divisional Police Officer in Shanga, acting on a distress call, mobilised a joint team of police officers, soldiers, and local vigilantes to the scene.
Abubakar explained that the team engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee into the forest with suspected gunshot injuries.
“The victims were rescued unhurt, taken for medical examination, and reunited with their families. One suspect, Musa Muhammad, aged 50, was arrested in connection with the incident, while a Dane gun, three rounds of live ammunition, and twenty empty shells were recovered,” the statement added.
In another operation around 3:45 a.m. the same day, gunmen numbering about eight attacked the residence of one Sani in Botoro Gadi village, Maiyama LGA, and abducted two women, 28-year-old Muhafi A. Sani and 30-year-old Shamsiya Aliyu.
The statement said the Divisional Police Officer in Maiyama led a combined team of security personnel and vigilantes to the area, where they engaged the attackers in a gun battle.
“One of the suspects was neutralised during the exchange of fire, while others escaped. A Dane gun and an empty cartridge were recovered at the scene,” the police spokesperson added.
He said the Commissioner of Police, Bello Sani, commended the officers involved for their professionalism and urged residents to continue supporting security efforts by providing timely and credible information.
