Three abducted victims have been rescued by police operatives following a gun duel with suspected kidnappers in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident occurred on February 5 at about 10:00 p.m., when armed men invaded Aworo Village via Leaba Zugurma and abducted three residents, taking them into a nearby forest.
According to Superintendent Wasi’u Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer, the rescue followed a distress report from residents.
He explained that police operatives attached to the Ibbi Division, in collaboration with local vigilante members, launched a manhunt for the suspects. The operatives traced the abductors to their hideout in Park Forest in the early hours of February 8, 2026, at about 2:00 a.m.
According to him, upon arrival, the police team engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to flee, and the three abducted victims were rescued during the operation.
Meanwhile, the police also said they have arrested a suspected kidnapper in Dogon-Daji village via Luma in the New Bussa area and recovered a firearm.
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
