The Sokoto State Police Command says it has rescued thirty-two kidnapped victims and foiled a major bandit operation in Maikujera Village, Rabah Local Government Area, following a coordinated tactical operation involving the Police and the Nigerian Army.
In a statement issued by the Command, police said the operation was triggered by a distress call to the Divisional Police Officer alerting security operatives to the movement of heavily armed bandits around the community.
“We received credible information about the movement of heavily armed bandits around the community, allegedly with rustled livestock and kidnapped victims,” the statement read. “Our tactical teams, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Violent Crime Reaction Unit, swiftly mobilised in response.”
According to the Command, police operatives worked in coordination with the Nigerian Army’s Forward Operating Base to block major escape routes before the bandits could disappear into the surrounding terrain.
“In coordination with the Nigerian Army Forward Operating Base, we blocked the major escape routes to prevent the criminals from fleeing,” the statement said.
A fierce gun battle broke out as security forces closed in on the bandits. The Command said the criminals, “overwhelmed by our superior firepower,” abandoned both their hostages and the rustled livestock before scattering into the forest.
A follow-up search-and-rescue operation subsequently led to the recovery of all thirty-two victims.
“The victims comprised six adult males and twenty-six females, most of them children,” the statement noted.
The Command said the rescued victims have since been evacuated to safety and are currently receiving medical and psychological support ahead of their reunification with their families.
“We are committed to ensuring their full recovery and safe return to their loved ones,” the statement added.
However, police confirmed that the operation was not without tragedy, disclosing that four persons had already been killed by the bandits before security forces arrived at the scene.
“It is with regret that we confirm four persons were killed before our operatives reached the location,” the statement said.
The Command reassured residents of the state of its continued commitment to ridding Sokoto of armed banditry and kidnapping, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies.
