Niger police rescue kidnap victim, kill three kidnappers in gun battle

The Niger State Police Command has rescued a kidnap victim and killed three kidnappers during a gun battle at Kpakiko forest in Mokwa Local Government Area.

The police also apprehended 22-year-old Samaila Saidu, a suspected member of the notorious Kachalla armed bandits group operating in Izom, Gurara Local Government Area.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, made the announcement in Minna.

According to Abiodun, on October 9, 2024, around 12:25 a.m., the Mokwa Division received reports that kidnappers had abducted a victim from Takuma village, Mokwa, and shot another person in the hand, who was later taken to the hospital for treatment.

A combined team of police officers and vigilantes were mobilized and tracked the kidnappers to Kpakiko forest, where a gunfight ensued. During the clash, three kidnappers were killed, and one AK-47 rifle with three live rounds of ammunition was recovered. The victim was successfully rescued.

Investigations into the kidnapping are ongoing, with efforts to capture the remaining members of the gang still underway.

In a separate operation, the police arrested Samaila Saidu at Izom market on September 28, 2024, based on credible intelligence.

During interrogation, Saidu, originally from Dansadau in Zamfara State but now residing in Gwacipe, Gurara, Niger State, confessed to working with the Kachalla group for over two years.

He revealed his involvement in several robberies, cattle rustling, and kidnappings across various parts of Niger State, including Mangoro Sarkin-Pawa, Garun-Gabas, Bena Kotonkoro, and Kagara town, among others.