Nigeria Police rescue 23 kidnap victims in successful operations across Katsina, Akwa Ibom
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has successfully rescued 23 kidnap victims in separate operations across Katsina and Akwa Ibom States, with the police commended for their bravery and precision.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, announced the successful rescues in a statement on Monday, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat the rising number of kidnappings in the country.
According to the statement, on December 7, 2024, police operatives from the Katsina State Command intercepted armed bandits along the Katsina-Magamar Jibia road. The bandits had ambushed a vehicle carrying 10 passengers and attempted to kidnap them.
“The armed bandits opened fire on the vehicle in an attempt to kidnap its occupants. However, police operatives engaged them in a gun battle, overpowered them, and forced them to flee with gunshot injuries. All 10 passengers were rescued unhurt,” said Adejobi.
Later that same day, another rescue mission occurred along the Funtua-Gusau road, where police responded to a report of an ambush involving a vehicle with 10 passengers. The police engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel and successfully rescued all 10 victims without injury.
“In a fierce gun duel, the police successfully overpowered the bandits, rescuing all 10 abducted victims without injuries,” Adejobi added.
The statement also outlined successful operations in Akwa Ibom State. On December 4, police operatives rescued a young woman who had been abducted by a suspect named Abraham Patrick Francis. The suspect had reportedly planned to sell the victim into forced prostitution in a neighboring country.
“The suspect has been arrested, and the victim has been reunited with her family,” confirmed Adejobi.
The following day, on December 5, police raided a kidnappers’ den in the Amayam and Ikot Ukpong villages of Akwa Ibom, rescuing two victims unharmed.
“During the operation, two kidnap victims were rescued unharmed. The police recovered a locally fabricated double-barrel gun, a locally made pistol, five live cartridges, and neutralized two suspected kidnappers during a heated gun duel,” the statement read.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, promising continued efforts to fight criminal activities across the country. Adejobi also urged the public to provide timely information to aid police operations and help rid the nation of kidnappings and other crimes.
“These successful operations are a testament to the resilience and dedication of our officers in ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians,” he said
