No fewer than 35 kidnapped victims, including women and children, have been rescued by security operatives in Niger State. 

The victims were rescued following intensified operations targeting criminal elements relocating from the Birnin-Gwari forest in Kaduna state.

The command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, shared in a statement on Monday, July 7, 2025, that the individuals were taken captive from different parts of Niger State more than a year ago.

Acting on intelligence, police tactical teams intercepted a vehicle along the Madaka-Makujeri road between July 3 and 5, 2025. 

The vehicle was driven by Yusuf Abdullahi of B/Gwari who was conveying the victims to Yauri, to hand them over to other members of the group. 

Reports indicated that suspected bandits were relocating from Birnin-Gwari forest following security forces’ operations in the area. Between July 3rd and 5th, 2025, approximately twenty-four kidnapped victims, including women and children abducted from places like Pandogari, Madaka, Allawa, Sarkin-Pawa, and even Taraba, were being moved to Yauri in Keebi State.

Police tactical teams positioned along the Madaka-Makujeri road intercepted a significant number of victims traveling in a vehicle driven by Yusuf Abdullahi from B/Gwari. Abdullahi was transporting them to Yauri to be handed over to other group members, while others were left at Tegina to board a different vehicle bound for Yauri.

“However, the driver was arrested, the victims were rescued and taken to a medical facility for attention before being reunited with their families. Investigation is ongoing with a view to rescue other victims from the hoodlums and to also effect arrest.

“Similarly, on 4th July, 2025 at about 4.30pm, other victims who were comprised of five women and six children were intercepted in Agwara during an attempt to cross the river to Yauri, Keebi State. DPO Agwara Div took custody of them, two magazines and sixty rounds of live ammunition were recovered.

“They were transferred to State Police Headquarters, Minna for further investigation.

“The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, mnips commended the efforts of the joint security teams for such rescue. 

“He urged members of the public to provide actionable information to the security agencies towards ensuring that other victims are rescued successfully.”