Police rescue two kidnap victims, arrest suspect in Kebbi

The Kebbi State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping and banditry with the rescue of two abducted victims and the arrest of a suspect during coordinated security operations in Kalgo and Dandi Local Government Areas of the state.

The operations come against the backdrop of sustained security challenges in parts of north-western Nigeria, where criminal gangs have in recent years targeted rural communities for abductions and other violent crimes.

Kebbi State, however, has witnessed increased police presence and closer collaboration with local vigilante groups as part of ongoing efforts to curb insecurity and protect vulnerable communities.

In one of the incidents, armed bandits stormed Kokani Village in Kalgo LGA in the early hours of January 29, 2026, abducting a 55-year-old businessman, Alhaji Juli Muhammad, from his residence.

The attackers reportedly restrained him with chains and ropes before fleeing into the surrounding bush.

Acting on actionable intelligence, operatives from the Kalgo Divisional Police Headquarters, in collaboration with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), launched a rescue operation that led to the safe recovery of the victim and the arrest of one suspect, Umar Usman, 30, of the Augie Fadama area.

Confirming the development, the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, said the operation demonstrated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements safe haven in the state.

“The victim was rescued without any injury due to the prompt response of our officers and the effective synergy with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria. One suspect was arrested, while investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang,” Usman said.

Barely 24 hours later, a similar success was recorded in Dandi LGA when operatives of the Kamba Division responded to the abduction of Garba Bachal, 50, from Maigwaza Village at about 12:23 p.m. on January 30, 2026. The swift police response forced the kidnappers to abandon the victim and flee.

The rescued victim was immediately taken to Maigwaza Hospital for medical evaluation and is currently recovering. According to the police spokesman, security surveillance in the area has been intensified to prevent a recurrence.

Our monitoring teams remain on ground, and we have strengthened patrols and intelligence gathering to ensure that criminal elements do not regroup,” Usman added.

Residents of the affected communities have lauded the rapid response of security agencies, noting that timely intervention prevented the incidents from escalating into prolonged hostage situations that often involve ransom demands.

Security analysts say the successful rescues underscore the growing importance of community-based intelligence and inter-agency cooperation in tackling rural banditry.

The Kebbi State Police Command reiterated its commitment to intelligence-driven and proactive policing, assuring residents that sustained operations are underway to dismantle kidnapping networks across the state.

The Command also appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains critical to maintaining peace and security in Kebbi State.

Culled from vanguard