Cross section of the rescued kidnap victims from two local government areas in Zamfara State
Police rescue 97 kidnap victims from 2 LGAs in in Zamfara
Zamfara State Police Command says it has rescued a total of 97 kidnap victims during operations carried out on two separate local government areas of the state.
Cross section of the rescued kidnap victims from two local government areas in Zamfara State
The victims, according to the police command include; 7 pregnant women, 19 two to seven-month old babies, as well as another set of 16 two to seven to month-old babies, who the command added were rescues ‘unconditionally.’
According to a statement signed by the Zamfara Commissioner of Police, CP Ayuba N. Elkana, the two local government areas involved are; Shinkafi and Tsafe, as victims were rescued from locations in the two councils in the state.
Elkana said while 68 victims were rescued from Shinkafi council, 29 were freed from their captors in various locations in the Tsafe local government.
Elkana added further that the rescue effort was in collaboration with other security agencies in the state, including the military, as part of ‘extensive operations at various bandits’ enclaves.’
“The operations have resulted to series of arrest of notorious bandits, recovery of sophisticated arms/ammunition and rescued of kidnapped victims that runs into hundreds. To God be the glory, today we are here to brief you on another landmark achievement recorded by the joint Tactical operatives in Shinkafi and Tsafe LGAs, where ninety seven (97) kidnapped victims including 7 pregnant women, 19 2-7 months old babies and 16 2-7yrs old children were rescued unconditionally.
“Following an extensive pressure mounted as a result of the ongoing Military operation around the camp of a notorious bandit’s kingpin known as Bello Turji that covers Shinkafi, Zurmi and Birnin Magaji Local Government areas. On 3rd January, 2022, Police Tactical operatives deployed at Shinkafi axis received an intelligence report that, some kidnapped victims were seen stranded in the bush.
“The Police operatives in collaboration with genuine repentant bandits and vigilante swung into action and rescued sixty eight (68) victims from the forest. The victims were in captivity for over three months and they include 33 male adult, 7 male children, 3 female children and 25 women including pregnant/nursing mothers respectively. The victims held from Magarya, Maradun, Gusau of Zamfara State and Sabon Birni LGA in Sokoto State.
“On Monday 3rd January, 2022, Police Tactical operatives deployed in Tsafe axis acted on intelligence report and stormed Kunchin Kalgo forest in Tsafe LGA and rescued twenty nine (29) kidnapped victims unconditionally.
“The victims were abducted for over 60 days from three villages namely; Adarawa, Gana and Bayawuri in Rijiya District of Gusau LGA, they include 25 female including pregnant/nursing mothers and 4 male children. The victims were said to have been abducted by a Bandits’ kingpin Ado Aleru.
All the rescued victims are currently receiving medical treatment from the joint medical teams of the State Government and the Police. They will be debriefed, hand over to the State Government before being reunited with their families,” Elkana said.
The Zamfara police chief, therefore, appreciated the support of stare governor, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, noting that the ‘kind gesture has gone a long way in making security operatives more effective and efficient in the discharge of their duties.’
