Niger Police Command  rescued five kidnapped  victims

By Daniel Ebi, Minna 

In a major breakthrough on the ongoing war against  banditry and kidnapping in Niger State, the State Police Command  says it rescued  five kidnapped victims. 

The Command public Relations officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun in a statement on its crime bulletin Saturday evening  said On the 22nd of May 2025, at about 1100hrs, Police operatives of 12 Police Mobile  forces, PMF stationed at Mararaban Dan-daudu Pin-down point found one Mubarak Iliya 23yrs wandering around the forest.

According  to him, the officers  took him in and after questioning, he was taken to Gwada Division. 

He was interviewed and he said that he was kidnapped from Gatawa village with his father, one Iliya Daddi, both of Sabon-Birni LGA, Sokoto State.

The victim said that sometime in April, within the period of Ramadan, some unidentified hoodlums invaded their village, shooting sporadically, and out of fear for their lives, he and his father ran, but unfortunately ended up in the hands of the bandits.

The victim According  to the Police  said they were both tied, blindfolded and then transported using motorcycles to an unknown destination. 

While on transit, he heard a gunshot, his father fell down and he suspected that he had been killed.

The victim further narrated that while in captivity, he was able to escape and had to navigate the forest for eight days until he encountered Police personnel in Niger State. 

SP Wasiu Abiodun  explained that the victim has been taken to hospital for medical attention and effort to locate his relatives is ongoing. However, an investigation is in progress.

Meanwhile, Four kidnapped kids of Sarkin pawa of Munya local government area of Niger State that gained national attention  have been able to breathe the air of freedom. 

The minors were kidnapped on 20th February, 2025 around 10pm, when suspected kidnappers attacked Hayin-Dogo and Dangunu villages of Sarkin-Pawa, Munya LGA where one Usman Daina, and four others were abducted, but the said Usman was released after two days.

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Since then, the joint security team has been mounting pressure through different clearance and rescue operations to rescue the victims. Fortunately, on 22nd May, 2025 at about 12pm, the victims; Deborah Daina, Gambo Amos, Cyprus Titus, and Satti Iko escaped from their abductors due to the sustained pressure from the security team.

The victims were taken to hospital for medical attention and reunited with their family.

 The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, mnips commended the joint security efforts in achieving this feat. 

He reassured members of the public that safety of lives and property shall continue to be the priority of the Police and other security agencies in the State.