Operatives of the Kebbi State Police Command have rescued four kidnapped victims and neutralised a suspected bandit in two separate operations in Shanga and Maiyama Local Government Areas of the state.
Spokesperson for the command, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar, confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday.
He said the operations also led to the arrest of one suspect and recovery of arms and ammunition.
According to him, the first incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Monday when armed kidnappers invaded Kwari village in Giron Masa district, Shanga LGA, and abducted two residents — 24-year-old Niger Suleiman and 28-year-old Yunwa Suleiman.
Abubakar said the Divisional Police Officer in Shanga, acting on a distress call, mobilised a joint team of police personnel, soldiers, and local vigilantes to the scene.
He added that the team engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee into the forest with gunshot wounds.
“The victims were rescued unhurt, taken for medical examination and reunited with their families.
One suspect, Musa Muhammad, 50, was arrested in connection with the incident, while a Dane gun, three rounds of live ammunition, and 20 empty shells were recovered,” the statement read.
In another operation around 3:45 a.m. the same day, Abubakar said gunmen numbering about eight attacked the residence of one Sani in Botoro Gadi village, Maiyama LGA, and abducted two women — 28-year-old Muhafi A. Sani and 30-year-old Shamsiya Aliyu.
He explained that the Divisional Police Officer in Maiyama led a combined team of security personnel and vigilantes to confront the attackers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
“One of the suspects was neutralised during the encounter, while others escaped.
A Dane gun and an empty cartridge were recovered at the scene,” he said.
Abubakar quoted the Commissioner of Police, Bello Sani, as commending the officers for their professionalism and bravery.
He urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to assist ongoing security operations in the state.