The Niger State Police Command has successfully rescued a kidnap victim and neutralized three suspected kidnappers during an operation in Kpakiko forest, Mokwa Local Government Area. In a separate incident, the Command apprehended a man believed to be associated with a notorious armed bandit group.The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed that the operation took place following a report received on October 9, 2024. A victim had been abducted in Takuma village, Mokwa, while another individual was shot in the hand and taken to the hospital for treatment.Upon receiving the report, a combined team of police officers and vigilantes pursued the kidnappers to Kpakiko forest, where a gun battle ensued. Three kidnappers were killed in the exchange, and the team recovered an AK-47 rifle with three live rounds of ammunition. The kidnap victim was successfully rescued, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing as authorities continue their efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.In another operation, the Command arrested 22-year-old Samaila Saidu, suspected to be a member of the Kachalla armed bandits group, at Izom Market in Gurara Local Government Area on September 28, 2024. Acting on technical intelligence, the Command’s Crack Squad team detained Saidu, who later confessed to his involvement with the Kachalla group.During interrogation, Saidu revealed that he hails from the Dansadau area of Zamfara State but has been residing in Gwacipe, Gurara. He admitted to participating in various criminal activities, including robberies, cattle rustling, and kidnappings, across multiple locations in Niger State, such as Mangoro Sarkin-Pawa, Garun-Gabas, Bena Kotonkoro, and Kagara.SP Abiodun assured that investigations into these incidents are ongoing as the Command intensifies efforts to combat banditry and other criminal activities in the state.
