Police Foil Kidnap Operation, Rescue Two Victims in Niger

The Niger State Police Command has rescued two abducted victims and neutralised three suspected kidnappers during a gun battle in the Wawa forest area of New-Bussa. The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Minna. According to him, the incident followed a report received at the New-Bussa Area Command on September 10 at about 7:30pm that suspected armed men had abducted two residents of Wako village and were demanding ransom for their release. Abiodun said that following the report, the surveillance team attached to the New-Bussa Area Command immediately commenced an investigation and mobilised vigilante personnel to assist in a rescue operation in the Wawa forest. The team subsequently located and intercepted the suspected kidnappers, leading to an exchange of gunfire between the security personnel and the armed group.

The police spokesperson said the confrontation resulted in the successful rescue of the two abducted victims, who were recovered unhurt. He added that three members of the suspected kidnapping group were neutralized during the gun battle, while other members of the group escaped with suspected gunshot injuries. The command said efforts were ongoing to track the fleeing suspects and strengthen security operations in the area. The rescue comes amid continued security concerns over kidnapping and other criminal activities in parts of Niger State, with security agencies and local vigilante groups increasingly working together to respond to reported attacks and abductions. The police urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing further attacks and apprehending fleeing criminal suspects.

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