Security operatives rescue 35 kidnap victims in Niger after one year in captivity

Tuesday, July 8, 2025 - No fewer than 35 kidnapped victims, including women and children, have been rescued by security operatives in Niger State. 

The victims were rescued following intensified operations targeting criminal elements relocating from the Birnin-Gwari forest in Kaduna state.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, July 7, 2025 said the victims were abducted at different times from various communities in Niger State over one year ago. 

Acting on intelligence, police tactical teams intercepted a vehicle along the Madaka-Makujeri road between July 3 and 5, 2025. 

The vehicle was driven by Yusuf Abdullahi of B/Gwari who was conveying the victims to Yauri, to hand them over to other members of the group. 

“Following the reports of suspected bandits relocation from Birnin-Gwari forest due to security forces clearance operations in the area, and from 3rd-5th July, 2025 about twenty-four kidnapped victims including women and children who were kidnapped over a year from different locations in the State such as Pandogari, Madaka, Allawa, Sarkin-Pawa, even Taraba and other areas were relocating to Yauri, Keebi State,” the statement read. 

"However, Police tactical teams stationed along Madaka-Makujeri road intercepted most of the victims in a vehicle driven by Yusuf Abdullahi of B/Gwari who was conveying them to Yauri, to hand them over to other members of the group, while other were dropped at Tegina to board another vehicle to Yauri.

"However, the driver was arrested, the victims were rescued and taken to a medical facility for attention before being reunited with their families. Investigation is ongoing with a view to rescue other victims from the hoodlums and to also effect arrest.

"Similarly, on 4th July, 2025 at about 4.30pm, other victims who were comprised of five women and six children were intercepted in Agwara during an attempt to cross the river to Yauri, Keebi State. DPO Agwara Div took custody of them, two magazines and sixty rounds of live ammunition were recovered.

"They were transferred to State Police Headquarters, Minna for further investigation.

"The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, mnips commended the efforts of the joint security teams for such rescue. 

“He urged members of the public to provide actionable information to the security agencies towards ensuring that other victims are rescued successfully.”