Security operatives in Sokoto State have successfully rescued 32 kidnapped victims following a coordinated operation involving the police and the Nigerian Army in Rabah Local Government Area.
According to a statement issued by the Sokoto State Police Command, the operation was initiated after the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Rabah received a distress call at approximately 8:30 a.m.
The report indicated that a large group of armed bandits had invaded Maikujera Village, a remote community bordering Zamfara State.
The attackers were said to be moving with rustled livestock and several abducted victims while firing sporadically to intimidate residents.
In response, the police swiftly deployed tactical units, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Violent Crime Reaction Unit (VCRU).
The operation was further reinforced through collaboration with the Nigerian Army’s Forward Operating Base (FOB), with security forces strategically positioning themselves along possible escape routes.
A fierce gun battle ensued between the security forces and the bandits. Overpowered by the superior firepower and coordinated strategy of the joint team, the attackers fled into nearby forests, abandoning both their captives and the stolen livestock.
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A follow-up search-and-rescue mission led to the safe recovery of all 32 victims, comprising six adult males and 26 females—most of whom were children.
The rescued individuals have since been moved to a secure location, where they are receiving medical attention and psychological support ahead of reunification with their families.
Despite the successful operation, authorities confirmed that four individuals lost their lives during the initial attack before security personnel arrived.
The Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and reassured residents of ongoing efforts to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
He also reiterated the command’s commitment to combating banditry and kidnapping across the state, urging the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities to security agencies.
This operation marks another significant step in the ongoing fight against insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest region.
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