The Taraba State Police Command has announced the rescue of three kidnapping victims from Dutse Mubayu in the Kona Mountains near Jalingo, the state capital.
The victims were reportedly abducted on 6 December 2024, in Sibre village, located in Ardo Kola Local Government Area.
“On 06/12/24 at approximately 14:30 hours, we received a distress call reporting that three individuals had been kidnapped at Sibre village in Ardo Kola LGA,” Abdullahu Usman, spokesperson for the Taraba Police Command, said in a statement.
“A team of operatives from Area Command Jalingo, in collaboration with the local vigilante group, promptly responded and launched a pursuit of the kidnappers.
“The criminals engaged the police and vigilantes in a gunfight at Dutse Mubayu in the Kona Mountains. However, due to the superior firepower of the police, the kidnappers were overpowered and fled the scene, abandoning the victims.
“The victims were rescued unharmed and have since been reunited with their families.”
The rescued individuals have been identified as Idris Adamu, Umar Usman, and Ibrahim Usman.
During the operation, the team recovered an AK-47 magazine containing 35 rounds of live ammunition.
The Taraba State Commissioner of Police, Ukachi Opara, praised the officers and vigilante group for their collaborative efforts in securing the victims’ release. He instructed the team to intensify efforts to apprehend the fleeing kidnappers and reassured residents that the command is fully in control of the situation.
