A total of 23 travelers who were abducted by suspected terrorists in Niger State have been rescued unhurt by operatives of the State Police Command.
Spokesman of the Police, Superintendent Wasi’u Abiodun, who confirmed the development in a statement, said that the driver of one of the vehicles was shot dead by the terrorists during one of the rescue operations.
According to him, the first rescue operation took place on November 1 at about 6:30 pm when operatives from the State Police Command acted on credible Intelligence that some passengers who were in a transit bus from Sokoto State heading to Bayelsa State, were attacked by suspected terrorists at Gidan-Kwakwa, along the Tegina – Zungeru road and abducted 19 persons into the forest.
“Immediately after the information was received, a joint security tactical team was mobilized, and trailed the suspected terrorists, and as a result of the intense gun duel, 12 victims were abandoned by the hoodlums, and they were rescued on Saturday at about 6:42 pm along Pangugari forest in Rafi Local Government Area.”
Abiodun further added that, as the rescue operation was intensified, at about 9 pm on the same date, the remaining 7 victims were also rescued unhurt within the forest, making a total of 19 victims rescued.
Similarly, the Police said the second set of rescued victims occurred on Sunday, November 3, at about 6 pm, when intelligence revealed that some terrorists attacked a vehicle from Yauri in Kebbi State, heading to Asaba, capital of Delta State, and abducted 5 persons. The driver of the vehicle who was simply identified as Emeka, was killed by the attackers.
The Police image maker said a Joint Security Tactical Team responded and combed the forest, and in the process, 4 victims were rescued unhurt within Kattako forest in Rafi Local Government Area.
The Police statement noted that, while efforts are being intensified to rescue the remaining victim in captivity as the rescue operation continues, the Commissioner of Police, Shawulu Danmamman, said the victims were taken to a nearby clinic for medical attention, and they were released to return to Sokoto State.
CP Danmamman further commended the Joint Security Tactical team for the rescue operations and assured members of the public that operational measures were being put in place to avoid reoccurrence.
He also enjoined members of the public and travelers to be more security conscious and to avoid night journeys for the safety of lives and property, saying that most kidnapping incidents occurred during the late night periods.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
