The Police Command in Kebbi says it has rescued five kidnapped victims and arrested three suspects following a coordinated operation in Dakingari, Suru Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi.
He said the operation followed credible 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.
Usman said police operatives, in collaboration with local vigilantes, mobilised to the area and pursued the assailants.
He said the encounter forced the kidnappers to abandon their captives, leading to the rescue of the three newly abducted victims and two other women who had earlier been held in captivity.
The women were identified as Moe Muddaha, 50, and Hadiza Bello, 30, both from Yarma Village in Suru LGA.
According to him, all five victims were rescued unhurt, taken to the General Hospital, Dakingari, for medical examination and subsequently reunited with their families.
He said 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.
The police spokesman said other members of the gang escaped with suspected gunshot injuries.
He added that items recovered during the operation included an unregistered Haojue motorcycle, N308,000 cash, a chain and a jerrican.
Usman said the command had intensified security patrols and surveillance in the area, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
He quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, as commending the operatives and their vigilante collaborators for their prompt response, courage and effective coordination.
Hadejia reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, disrupting criminal networks and ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes were brought to justice.
He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to strengthen collective security efforts.