Police rescue five kidnap victims in Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command, in collaboration with the military, has rescued five kidnapped victims following a bandit attack along the Rabbah–Maikujeru road in Sokoto State.

The command’s spokesperson, Ahmad Rufa’i, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

According to him, the incident occurred on Wednesday at about 8:45 p.m. when suspected bandits blocked the road, opened fire and abducted six persons travelling in a Canter truck loaded with charcoal.

Rufa’i said security operatives swiftly deployed a joint team of police tactical personnel and troops from the military’s Forward Operating Base after receiving a distress call.

He said the security team engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to flee into a nearby forest.

“Security operatives engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel that lasted for a considerable period. The hoodlums were eventually overpowered and fled into the nearby forest,” he said.

The police spokesperson added that five of the six abducted victims were rescued unhurt during the operation, while the Canter truck was also recovered.

“The rescued persons have been reunited with their families, and the vehicle is in police custody pending further investigation,” he stated.

He said security operatives were still searching for the sixth victim, who reportedly escaped into the forest during the attack.

Rufa’i added that efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.

He also disclosed that neighbouring police divisions had been placed on alert to prevent the attackers from infiltrating nearby communities.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.