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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Police rescue 75 kidnapped travellers in Kaduna

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Kaduna State Police Command successfully rescued 75 travelers, including men, women, and children, who had been abducted.
  • The victims were traveling in commercial buses when they were seized by armed gunmen near Folwaya Village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area.
  • The rescue operation was facilitated by timely information provided by the Birnin Gwari branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

The Kaduna State Police Command has reported the successful rescue of 75 travelers, comprising men, women, and children, who were abducted by armed assailants. The victims were traveling in commercial buses when they were ambushed and taken into a forest near Folwaya Village in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area.

The Kaduna State Police Command received credible information from the NURTW, Birnin Gwari Branch, that some Fulani men, women, and children travelling in commercial buses were abducted by unknown armed men wielding AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons at Folwaya Village, near Birnin Gwari.

— Mansir HassanDetailing how the police received information about the abduction.

According to a statement from the command's Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, the incident occurred on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. The abductors, armed with AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons, forced the travelers into a cave in a mountainous area.

The swift rescue was made possible by credible information received from the Birnin Gwari branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). Upon receiving the intelligence, a specialized police team was immediately deployed to the location.

On sighting the well-armed police operatives, the abductors fled, abandoning their captives, who were successfully rescued unharmed.

— Mansir HassanDescribing the moment of the rescue.

As the well-armed police operatives approached, the kidnappers fled, abandoning their captives. The rescued victims were found unharmed. The statement quoted the state Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, commending the NURTW branch for their crucial role in providing timely information that enabled the rapid police response.

timely and vital information

— Rabiu MuhammadCommending the NURTW for their role in the rescue operation.

Commissioner Muhammad also praised the Area Commander and his team in Birnin Gwari for their "swift and professional response." He urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police to help prevent future attacks and kidnappings. The commissioner cautioned against residents resorting to self-help, warning that such actions could escalate the security situation and endanger lives.

Members of the public should remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to the police.

— Rabiu MuhammadUrging residents to cooperate with security agencies.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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