Gunmen Attack In Niger: Police Free 23 Kidnap Victims, Driver Killed

Gunmen Attack In Niger: Police Free 23 Kidnap Victims, Driver Killed

A commercial driver, identified only as Emeka, was tragically killed by suspected kidnappers who abducted five passengers during a journey from Kebbi State to Asaba, Delta State. This unfortunate incident occurred last weekend between Kwana-Barau and Kundu village in Niger State.

According to a statement from the state police command, the assailants ambushed Emeka’s vehicle, a Toyota with the registration number LND 863 YF, fatally shooting him before taking four passengers hostage.

In a separate operation, the police successfully rescued 19 passengers who had been kidnapped while traveling from Sokoto to Bayelsa. This group was attacked on November 1, 2024, when they were intercepted along the Tegina-Zungeru road in Niger State while in a Toyota bus with the registration number LG 08 DGS. The kidnappers took the victims into a nearby forest.

Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, confirmed both incidents in a statement on Monday, emphasizing that all the victims in both situations were rescued unharmed.

“On November 3, 2024, at about 6 a.m., we received reports of an attack on a vehicle with registration number LND 863 YF traveling from Yawuri in Kebbi State to Asaba, Delta State. This incident resulted in the abduction of five individuals and the tragic death of the driver, Emeka,” Abiodun stated.

He further detailed that a joint security tactical team responded swiftly, conducting a search in the Kattako forest located in the Rafi Local Government Area. “Four of the abducted passengers were rescued without injury, and we are continuing efforts to secure the release of the remaining victim still in captivity,” he added.

Regarding the incident involving the 19 passengers abducted from the Sokoto-Bayelsa route, Abiodun explained that coordinated pressure from security forces led to the successful rescue of all individuals. “Following the attack on November 1, security operatives pursued the kidnappers, leading to the recovery of twelve victims on November 2 in the Pangugari forest, Rafi LGA. Further operations that same evening resulted in the rescue of the remaining seven victims, bringing the total number rescued to 19,” he noted.

The rescued victims received medical care at a nearby clinic and were safely returned to Sokoto on November 3, according to Abiodun.