… Foil bandits’ attack in Niger State, rescue 20 abducted victims***

The Police Command in Zamfara has rescued five persons who were kidnapped in Niger.

This is contained in a statement issued in Gusau on Sunday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Muhammad Shehu.

“The state police command, in continuation of its search and rescue operations across various forests in the state, has succeeded in the unconditional rescue of five kidnapped victims.

“The victims were abducted in Kontagora and Bangi Local Government areas of Niger on Feb. 6 and Feb. 9, 2022 respectively”, he said.

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Shehu said that the victims were abducted from Niger and brought to Dansadau forest in the Maru Local Government Area of the state.

“All the victims were rescued by the police tactical operatives during an extensive search and rescue operations in the forest.

“The joint police and state government medical team is working in synergy to ensure that the rescued victims receive appropriate medical treatment,” he said.

The police spokesman added that police detectives from the anti-kidnapping squad were debriefing the victims before reuniting them with their respective families.

He quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ayuba Elkanah, as expressing appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, and Gov. Bello Matawalle for their unalloyed support and encouragement to all the security operatives, especially the police.

While sympathizing with the victims, Elkanah assured the people of the state that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies and the state government, would continue to work assiduously for the enthronement of lasting peace and security in the state.

The police commissioner also called on members of the public to continue to support security operatives in the ongoing battle to rid the state of criminal elements.

In the same vein, police in Niger State say they have foiled bandits attack on Nasko in Magama Local Government Area of the state.

DSP Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesman stated in Minna on Sunday that scores of bandits were neutralised, a large herd of cattle recovered and 20 abducted victims set free.

He stated that the bandits and terrorists attacked some villages around Nasko in Magama on Saturday and rustled a large number of cattle.

He added that the police sent for reinforcement and military operatives and vigilantes joined in combing the area.

He explained that a two-hour fierce gun battle later ensued on the Ibeto cattle route which the hoodlums were trying to escape with the cattle.

He stated that items recovered at the scene included one AK-47 magazine with 30 rounds of live ammunition, seven telephone handsets and one Honda motorcycle.

Abiodun stated also that the police raided bandits’ hideout at Anaba Hilltop area of Magama on Sunday where one Ak-47 rifle and 13 rounds of live ammunition, hidden between rocks were recovered.

The spokesman solicited the cooperation of residents in ridding the state of banditry and other crimes.