Kidnappers free 28 victims after three months in Niger

28 persons abducted by armed bandits returning from Kagara market along Madaka road, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State have regained their freedom, after three months in the grip of their kidnappers, according to the State Police Command.

The command through its Public Relations Officer, PRO, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, made the disclosure in Minna.

It said their release was as a result of the ongoing operational onslaught on bandits at neighbouring states of Zamfara and Kaduna.

Abiodun stated, “The Niger State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public that the abducted victims of Kagara market attack have been released by the abductors and subsequently rescued unhurt”.

It would be recalled that on September 28, 2021 at about 5: 30pm; suspected armed bandits attacked some villagers returning from Kagara market along Madaka road in which about 34 persons were abducted.

He explained that earlier, about six out of the 34 victims were released on October 5, 2021 and reunited with their families.

While the remaining 28 victims, males and females, were released yesterday, January 5, 2022 at about 6pm and have been reunited with their families.

According to him, “Preliminary investigations revealed that the victims who were kept at Kango forest via Dangulbi village, Maru LGA of Zamfara State were released at Kamfani-Doka in Birnin-Gwari area of Kaduna State as a result of the ongoing operational onslaught at neighbouring States of Zamfara and Kaduna.”

The state police spokesman added that the victims were subsequently rescued to Kagara by the Police and later taken to a nearby medical facility for medical attention before they will be reunited with their families.