Police overwhelm bandits, rescue 17 kidnapped victims in Zamfara 

The Police Command in Zamfara State has revealed how the force overwhelmed bandits in the state and rescued 27 kidnapped victims in their custody in Gando, Bagega and Sunke forests in Bukkuyu, Anka Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer of t5he Zamfara State Command, Mohammed Shehu, in a statement  indicated that the rescued victims were kidnapped by bandits in Akawa, Gwashi, Tungar Rogo and Anka Villages and taken to their camps at Gando/Bagega and Sunke forests. He said that the police received reports of the kidnap incident and proceeded on search and rescue operations, resulting in the rescue of the victims from the forest.

The PPRO narrated: “The rescue of the victims was sequel to the report received by the Command that, group of bandits terrorist invaded the above mentioned villages and abducted unspecified number of people and took them to Gando/Bagega/ Sunke forests where they spent a week in captivity.

“On receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police deployed additional Police Tactical operatives to reinforce DPOs Anka/Bukkuyum and vigilante in their rescue operation to rescue the abducted victims. Luckily enough, a well-coordinated search and rescue operation was carried out with the full support and partnership of the two LGAs Sole Administrators of Anka and Bukkuyum . The outcome of the rescue operation was the unconditional rescue of  27 kidnapped victims.

“At the moment, 17 out of the 27 were brought to the Police Command Headquarters for showcasing, while the 10 other victims are in the hospital receiving medical attention following the trauma they passed through while in captivity. All the victims have been debriefed by the Police detectives and the Commissioner of Police will formally hand over the victims to Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs who will on behalf of His Excellency reunite them with their families.

“The Commissioner of Police Commended the high level commitment to Security of His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Bello Matawalle MON, for his support and encouragement to the Police and other security Agencies in their effort to rid the state of criminal activities. The CP further congratulated the victims for regaining their freedom, and assured the public that, Police will not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that criminal elements are apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law.”