The Sokoto State Police Command has rescued 32 kidnapped victims and foiled a major bandit operation in Maikujera Village, Rabah Local Government Area.
In a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, the incident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. when the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Rabah received a distress call reporting that a large group of armed bandits was operating around Maikujera, a remote community bordering Zamfara State.
The police coordinated with the nearby Army Forward Operating Base (FOB) to establish blocking positions along all exit routes from the village, preventing the bandits from escaping with their captives.
The combined security forces engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle, forcing the bandits to abandon their hostages and rustled livestock before fleeing into the forest.
Following the operation, security personnel conducted an extensive search of the surrounding bush and nearby areas, rescuing 32 kidnapped victims unharmed.
The rescued victims include six adult males and 26 females, the majority of whom are children.
The victims have been evacuated to a secure location, where they are receiving medical attention and psychological support. Authorities say they will be reunited with their families after the necessary procedures are completed.
However, four people were killed by the bandits during the initial attack before security forces arrived.
The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and assured residents that security agencies are intensifying efforts to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
