The Niger State Police Command has rescued 35 kidnap victims believed to have been abducted by Boko Haram insurgents over a year ago from various parts of the state.
The victims, taken from communities such as Pandogari, Madaka, Allawa, and Sarkin-Pawa, were intercepted by police operatives along the Madaka–Makujeri road while being transported to Yauri in Kebbi State.
According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Wasiu Abiodun, the victims were rescued following credible intelligence that a driver was attempting to transfer them to another group of kidnappers. The suspect, identified as Yusuf Abdullahi from Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, was immediately arrested at the scene.
The police said all the rescued individuals have since undergone medical examinations and have been certified healthy. They have now been reunited with their families.
Superintendent Abiodun confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify and dismantle the wider network responsible for the abduction and planned re-kidnapping.
“More details will be made available as the investigation progresses,” he stated.
