Niger State Police Rescue 35 Kidnapping Victims, Arrest Suspected Transporter

The Niger State Police Command has successfully rescued 35 kidnapped victims, including women and children, from suspected bandits attempting to transport them to Yauri in Kebbi State.

• The victims were abducted from multiple communities in Niger State—Pandogari, Madaka, Allawa, Sarkin-Pawa—and from Taraba State.

• Police tactical teams intercepted a vehicle along the Madaka–Makujeri road between July 3 and 5, arresting the driver, Yusuf Abdullahi from Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, who was transporting 24 victims.

• Some victims had been dropped off earlier in Tegina to continue their journey by another vehicle.

• In a related operation on July 4, police in Agwara intercepted five women and six children trying to cross a river into Kebbi State; these victims were also taken into custody.

• Security forces recovered two magazines and 60 rounds of live ammunition during the operations.

• Rescued victims were taken to medical facilities for treatment.

• Investigations and efforts to rescue more victims and apprehend other suspects continue.

• Niger State Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, commended officers for their prompt actions and called on the public to provide credible information to aid security operations.