Police rescue 32 kidnap victims in Sokoto, foil bandit operation

In a significant security operation, the Sokoto State Police Command has successfully rescued 32 kidnapped victims and thwarted a major bandit operation in the Rabah Local Government Area. The coordinated effort involved police tactical teams and the military, taking place in Maikujera village, a remote area bordering Zamfara State.

The operation was initiated after the Divisional Police Officer in Rabah received a distress call about a large group of armed bandits invading the area. According to DSP Ahmad Rufai, the state police public relations officer, the attackers were moving with rustled livestock and dozens of abducted victims, firing sporadically at residents. The DPO promptly mobilized tactical units, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Violent Crime Reaction Unit (VCRU), and collaborated with the Nigerian Army's Forward Operating Base (FOB) to block all potential escape routes.

The combined security teams engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle. The intense confrontation forced the attackers to abandon their captives and stolen livestock before they fled into the forest. Following the exchange, security operatives conducted a thorough search of the surrounding bush, leading to the rescue of all 32 kidnapped victims.

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The rescued victims comprise six adult males and 26 females, the majority of whom are children. They have been evacuated to a safe location, where they are receiving medical and psychological support and will be reunited with their families shortly.

The rescued individuals consist of six adult males and 26 females, with the majority being children. They have been moved to a safe location where they are receiving medical and psychological support. Authorities plan to reunite them with their families shortly. However, the police confirmed that four people were killed by the bandits during the initial attack before security operatives could intervene.

Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shaffa, expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and assured the public that efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing perpetrators. He reaffirmed the command's commitment to combating banditry and kidnapping across the state and urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly. This rescue operation is part of ongoing sustained security efforts against armed bandits operating in Sokoto and neighboring Zamfara State.

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The Commissioner of Police extends his deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and assures the public that efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing perpetrators.