Banditry: Police rescue 23 kidnapped victims
Police Spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, revealed in a statement on Monday, November 4, 2024, that bandits hijacked a commercial bus traveling from Sokoto to Bayelsa State and abducted 19 passengers along the Tegina-Zungeru road.
The Niger State Police Command has successfully rescued 23 kidnapped passengers from the Pangugari and Kattako forests in Rafi Local Government Area. The rescue operation follows two separate attacks by bandits on commercial vehicles in the state.
According to the police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the first incident occurred on November 1, 2024, when a commercial bus traveling from Sokoto State to Bayelsa State was ambushed by suspected kidnappers along the Tegina-Zungeru road. Nineteen passengers were abducted during the attack. A swift response by joint security forces led to the rescue of twelve victims on November 2, 2024, near Pangugari forest. The remaining seven hostages were freed later that evening, bringing the total number of rescued victims to 19. All were provided with medical care and safely returned to Sokoto State on November 3, 2024.
In a separate attack on November 3, 2024, bandits ambushed another vehicle traveling from Yawuri in Kebbi State to Asaba, Delta State. The assailants killed the driver, identified as Emeka, and abducted five passengers between Kwana-Barau and Kundu village. Following a search operation, four of the hostages were rescued unharmed from the Kattako forest in Rafi LGA. Efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining captive.
The police continue to intensify their efforts in the region to combat banditry and ensure the safety of citizens.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at NeptunePrime.
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