Zamfara State Police Command, Northwest Nigeria has liberated 187 people abducted and held captive by bandits in Tsibiri Forest, Maradun Local Government Area of the state.
Some of the rescued captives hail from Gora Namaye, Rini, and Shinkafi in Zamfara while the others are from Sabon Birni LGA in Sokoto State.
In a statement, the Commissioner of Police in Zamfara, Ayuba Elkana, who handed over the victims to the state government said “Today (Thursday) 187 were rescued as a result of the pressure mounted on these bandits by the state government and other security agencies whereby, we stormed Tsibiri Forest where kidnap victims were kept for various days – some (of them for) 52 days, 48 days, 54 days and four months.”
“They have now been rescued unconditionally. We are now going to hand them over to the state for medical check-up, debriefing, and, later, to be reunited with their families.
“This is a great achievement, and it goes to all the good people of Zamfara State who have keyed into the resolve to this administration to make sure that Zamfara State is brought back to its normal peaceful state.”
They were rescued after hours of extensive search and rescue operations conducted by operatives of the Police Tactical Squad of the command.
Elkana explained that the feat was recorded as a result of the implementation of the new security measures announced by the state government.
As part of the measures, the police and other security agencies have been carrying out attacks on identified bandits’ locations.
Elkana said these efforts led to the rescue of hundreds of kidnapped victims who have been reunited with their respective families.
He revealed that some bandits and their collaborators have been arrested, and some of those apprehended have been charged to court. The rescued victims were brought to the Police Headquarters in Zamfara State on October 7, 2021.
The Commissioner reassured the public that the police and other security agencies would continue to put in their best to restore normalcy and lasting peace in the state.
While receiving the victims, Secretary to the State Government, Kabiru Balarabe thanked the police and other security agencies for their relentless effort at enforcing the new security measures.
“We are also grateful to all those repentant bandits who have led the way to this success, may the Almighty reward you abundantly,” Balarabe said.
