Police Rescue 32 Kidnap Victims, Disrupt Bandit Operation in Sokoto
By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi
The Sokoto State Police Command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, has rescued 32 kidnapped victims following a successful operation against armed bandits in Maikujera Village of Rabah Local Government Area.
According to NTA News, the operation was launched after the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) received a distress call about the movement of heavily armed bandits in the area, reportedly accompanied by rustled livestock and kidnapped residents.
The Police swiftly deployed tactical personnel from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Violent Crime Reaction Unit, working alongside troops from the Army Forward Operating Base to cut off possible escape routes.
The security forces engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle, forcing the criminals to abandon the kidnapped victims and rustled animals before retreating into the forest.
During a subsequent search of the area, the security operatives rescued 32 victims, comprising six adult males and 26 females, many of whom were children.
The rescued victims were taken to safety and are receiving medical and psychological assistance as arrangements are being made to reunite them with their families.
The Command, however, confirmed that four people had been killed by the attackers before security forces arrived at the scene.
