By Kazeem Waris
The Kebbi State Police Command has rescued five kidnapped victims unhurt and arrested three suspected members of a criminal gang following a coordinated security operation in Dakingari, Suru Local Government Area of the state.
The operation, according to the police, followed intelligence that armed men had invaded Dolen Kwandage Village and abducted three residents.
The victims were identified as Samaila Abubakar, 35; Dayyaba Muhammadu, 32; and Balki Hakimi, 31.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, saying operatives, working alongside local vigilantes, immediately mobilised to the area and pursued the kidnappers.
He said the pressure from the security team forced the abductors to abandon their captives, leading to the rescue of the three newly kidnapped residents and two other women who had earlier been held hostage.
The two women were identified as Moe Muddaha, 50, and Hadiza Bello, 30, both from Yarma Village in Suru Local Government Area.
Usman said all five victims were rescued unhurt, taken to General Hospital, Dakingari, for medical examination and subsequently reunited with their families.
The operation also led to the arrest of three suspects identified as Umaru Janyo, 49, and Bube Kwaire, 28, both from Bendu Village, and Muhammadu Gyade, 22, of Tindifai Village.
However, other members of the gang reportedly escaped with suspected gunshot injuries as security operatives intensified efforts to track them down.
Items recovered during the operation included an unregistered Haojue motorcycle, N308,000 in cash, a chain and a jerrycan.
The police said security patrols and surveillance had been intensified across the area to prevent further attacks and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, commended the operatives and their vigilante collaborators for their prompt response and effective coordination.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, disrupting criminal networks and ensuring that those responsible for violent crimes were brought to justice.
The commissioner also urged residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to strengthen efforts to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities.
