Thirty-two kidnapped victims regained their freedom after police tactical teams and soldiers repelled heavily armed bandits in Sokoto State, forcing the criminals to abandon their captives and rustled livestock during a gun duel.
The rescue operation was carried out at Maikujera village in Rabah Local Government Area following a distress call reporting that armed bandits had invaded the community, rustled livestock and abducted several residents.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Sokoto State Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the Divisional Police Officer in Rabah immediately mobilised tactical operatives after receiving information that the bandits were fleeing with their victims while shooting sporadically.
According to Rufai, tactical teams, including operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Violent Crime Response Unit, were deployed alongside personnel of the Nigerian Army’s Forward Operating Base to strategic locations to block the bandits’ escape routes.
“Upon receiving the distress call, the Divisional Police Officer, Rabah Division, swiftly mobilised Tactical Teams, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Violent Crime Response Unit, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Forward Operating Base, to strategic locations to block all escape routes available to the fleeing bandits,” he said.
The police spokesman said the combined security team engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to flee into the forest while abandoning their captives and the rustled livestock.
He disclosed that a follow-up search-and-rescue operation led to the successful rescue of all 32 kidnapped victims, comprising six adult males and 26 females, most of whom were children.
“The pressure mounted by the combined security team forced the bandits to abandon the kidnapped victims and the rustled animals before escaping into the forest. A subsequent search operation led to the successful rescue of 32 victims, made up of six adult males and 26 females, the majority of whom are children,” Rufai stated.
He said the rescued victims had been moved to a secure location where they were receiving medical attention and psychological support before being reunited with their families.
The spokesman, however, disclosed that four persons lost their lives during the initial attack by the bandits before the arrival of security operatives.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, commiserated with the families of those who died and assured residents that the fleeing suspects would be tracked down and brought to justice.
“The Command commiserates with the families of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident. We assure the people of Sokoto State that efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing bandits and ensure they face the full weight of the law,” Rufai quoted the Commissioner as saying.
The Commissioner also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information on suspicious persons or movements.
“We appeal to members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies. The Command remains committed to working with other security agencies to rid Sokoto State of banditry and other violent crimes,” the police spokesman quoted Shaffa as saying.
