Police rescue three kidnapping victims, arrest suspect in Niger State

Minna — Police in Niger State have rescued three abducted victims following a gun battle and arrested a suspected kidnapper in separate operations across the state.

The three victims were freed on Monday after a combined team of police officers and local vigilantes raided the abductors’ hideout in the forest, engaging in a fierce gun battle.

Confirming the incident, the state police spokesman, Superintendent Wasiu Abiodun, said it occurred in Mashegu Local Government Area.

“On Thursday, February 5, at about 10 p.m., a report indicated that armed men invaded Aworo Village via Leaba Zugurma, Mashegu LGA, and abducted three victims into the park forest. Consequently, on Sunday, February 8, at about 2 a.m., police operatives from Ibbi Division, with vigilante support, traced the abductors to their hideout, engaged them in a gun duel, and successfully rescued the victims,” Abiodun said.

In a separate operation, police attached to New Bussa Division, working with local vigilantes, arrested a suspected kidnapper following a failed abduction attempt in Dogon-Daji Village.

According to the police, three suspects—Umaru Beto, Sidi (aka Smally), and Kutte, all from Wawa—attempted to abduct a resident on February 8 at around 2 a.m., injuring the victim in the process. Two suspects escaped, while Umaru Beto was apprehended with a locally made revolver. The arrested suspect is assisting the police in the investigation. Authorities vowed to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Culled from vanguard