The police have rescued 23 kidnapped victims in a series of operations in Enugu and Niger states.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement issued Friday recalled that on 20th February 2025, at about 10:00 p.m, suspected kidnappers launched an attack on Hayin-Dogo and Dangunu villages in Sarkin-Pawa, Munya LGA of Niger State, abducting one Usman Daina and four others.
He explained that while Usman was released after two days, the Police and other security operatives intensified efforts to rescue the remaining victims, which yielded results on the 22nd May 2025.
Adejobi added: “The other four victims — Deborah Daina, Gambo Amos, Cyprus Titus, and Satti Iko – were safely rescued and reunited with their families.”
He said in a separate operation, Police operatives attached to the Enugu State Command carried out a coordinated operation in Uvuru-Ukpata forest in Uzo-Uwani LGA, following the abduction of commuters along Olo-Umulokpa Road.
Adejobi noted that upon picking up the trail, the operatives engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun duel, overpowered them, and successfully rescued 9 kidnapped victims.
He stressed that prior to this, police operatives had earlier rescued two men in a forest at Amalla-Egazi after they were kidnapped on 16th May 2025 at the Ezimo community.
Adejobi explained that the rescued victims have been reunited with their families.
He said: “Similarly, on 23rd May 2025, Police operatives attached to the Enugu State Command, working in collaboration with local security outfits, on the trail of a gang of kidnappers, stormed a forest along the Enugu-Kogi border.
“During the operation, a gunfight ensued, where one of the kidnappers was neutralised and others escaped with various degrees of gunshot injuries. Eight kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt in the process.”
Adejobi said efforts to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing.