In a significant breakthrough against insurgency, the Niger State Police Command has rescued 35 individuals who had been held captive by Boko Haram insurgents for over a year. The victims have since received medical treatment and been reunited with their families.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the rescue operations were carried out between July 3 and 5 by the Joint Security Task Force and Police Tactical Teams in two separate missions.
In the first operation, 24 victims were rescued along the Madaka–Makujeri road. They were found in a vehicle driven by one Yusuf Abdullahi from Birnin Gwari, who was allegedly attempting to transfer them to another insurgent group after dropping some of them in Tegina, en route to Yauri in Kebbi State.
The second group of 11 victims, including five women and six children, was rescued in Agwara while attempting to cross a river on their way to Yauri. They were taken into custody by the Divisional Police Officer of Agwara and transferred to the state police headquarters in Minna for profiling and further support.
The victims, who had been abducted from communities such as Pandogari, Madaka, Allawa, and Sarkin Pawa, were reportedly held in forest camps by the insurgents. After their rescue, they received medical attention before being reunited with their loved ones.
During the operation, authorities also recovered two magazines and 60 rounds of live ammunition from the intercepted vehicle. These items have been handed over to investigators at the state headquarters.
SP Abiodun confirmed the operation, saying: “Following intelligence that bandits were relocating from the Birnin-Gwari forest due to ongoing clearance operations, our tactical teams intercepted a vehicle transporting 24 kidnapped victims. The driver, Yusuf Abdullahi, attempted to transfer them to another criminal group. He has been arrested and is under investigation.”
The Niger State Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, commended the joint security forces for their effective coordination and urged residents to continue providing reliable information to support efforts against criminal networks.
“Timely, actionable intelligence from the public is essential for rescuing more victims and dismantling these criminal operations,” he stated.
Investigations are ongoing to apprehend additional suspects and locate any remaining individuals still in captivity.
