The Kebbi State Police Command has rescued five kidnapped victims and arrested three suspects following a security operation in Dakingari, Suru Local Government Area of the state.
The operation followed intelligence reports that armed men had invaded Dolen Kwandage Village and abducted three residents identified as Samaila Abubakar, 35; Dayyaba Muhammadu, 32; and Balki Hakimi, 31.
According to the police, operatives, working alongside local vigilantes, immediately mobilised to the area and pursued the kidnappers, forcing them to abandon their captives.
The rescued victims included the three recently abducted residents and two women, Moe Muddaha, 50, and Hadiza Bello, 30, who were reportedly kidnapped from Yarma Village in the same local government area.
In a statement on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Bashir Usman, said all five victims were rescued unhurt.
He added that they were taken to the General Hospital in Dakingari for medical examination before being reunited with their families.
The police also confirmed the arrest of three suspects during the operation.
The suspects were identified as Umaru Janyo, 49, and Bube Kwaire, 28, both from Bendu Village, as well as Muhammadu Gyade, 22, from Tindifai Village.
According to the command, other members of the suspected kidnapping gang escaped with suspected gunshot injuries.
Items recovered during the operation included an unregistered Haojue motorcycle, ₦308,000 in cash, a chain and a jerrycan.
The command said security patrols and surveillance had been intensified across the area, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Police Commissioner Commends Operatives
The Commissioner of Police in Kebbi State, Umar M. Hadejia, commended the operatives and their local vigilante collaborators for their prompt response, courage and effective coordination during the operation.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, dismantling criminal networks and ensuring that those responsible for violent crimes were brought to justice.
Hadejia also urged residents to provide security agencies with timely and credible information to strengthen ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state.
