The Commissioner of Police for Niger State, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, has successfully reunited 35 individuals who were kidnapped and later rescued with their families.
Advertisements
Among the rescued victims are 16 women and 19 children hailing from the Kagara, Tegina, and Agwara regions of the state.
During a brief ceremony for handing over the victims, Deputy Commissioner of Police for Investigation, Ibrahim Adamu, mentioned that the victims were released after spending a few weeks in protective custody provided by the police.
The CP, who transferred the rescued individuals to Ayuba Usman Katako, the chairman of Rafi Local Government Area, remarked, “The victims will be reunited with their families as they have been under police protective custody, receiving necessary support and care from the state government.
“They were provided with a series of counseling and deradicalization processes, along with food and bedding. Now that they have received the necessary clearance, the victims are officially handed over to the council chairman and their relatives. Elleman elaborated on the rescue operations that took place.
“Police operatives acted swiftly, and the first group was intercepted in Agwara while attempting to cross the river to other villages in New-Bussa, resulting in the rescue of five women and six children.
“During the interrogation, it was revealed that bandits were moving from Birnin-Gwari to other locations, and the police tactical team stationed at Mekujeri-Tegina road intercepted a second group consisting of four women and seven children, while another group was also caught with a driver attempting to transport them away.”
The CP urged the public to provide actionable information to the police whenever they notice any suspicious activities, enabling quick intervention.