How Police Operatives Rescued 23 Kidnapped Victims In Niger & Enugu State 

AISHA ABUBAKAR

In a sustained show of commitment to the safety and security of all Nigerians, the Nigeria Police Force has once again recorded multiple victories in the fight against violent crimes, successfully rescuing multiple victims of kidnapping in Niger and Enugu States. These operations reflect the unyielding resolve of the Force to tackling criminality head-on and restore peace to our communities.

It will be recalled that on 20th February, 2025, at about 10:00 p.m., suspected kidnappers launched an attack on Hayin-Dogo and Dangunu villages in Sarkin-Pawa, Munya LGA of Niger State, abducting one Usman Daina and four others. While Usman was released after two days, the Police and other security operatives intensified efforts to rescue the remaining victims, which yielded results on the 22nd May, 2025.

The other 4 victims — Deborah Daina, Gambo Amos, Cyprus Titus, and Satti Iko – were safely rescued and reunited with their families.

In a separate operation, Police operatives attached to the Enugu State Command carried out a coordinated operation in Uvuru-Ukpata forest in Uzo-Uwani LGA, following the abduction of commuters along Olo-Umulokpa Road.

Upon picking up the trail, the operatives engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun duel, overpowered them, and successfully rescued 9 kidnapped victims. Prior to this, police operatives had earlier rescued two men in a forest at Amalla-Egazi after they were kidnapped on 16th May 2025 at the Ezimo community. The rescued victims have been reunited with their families.

Similarly, on 23rd May 2025, Police operatives attached to the Enugu State Command, working in collaboration with local security outfits, on the trail of a gang of kidnappers, stormed a forest along the Enugu-Kogi border. During the operation, a gunfight ensued, where one of the kidnappers was neutralized and others escaped with various degrees of gunshot injuries. Eight kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt in the process. Efforts to track down the fleeing suspects are ongoing.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has commended the bravery and dedication of the officers involved in the rescue operations. He also appreciated the support of local security outfits and members of the public in the various operations across the country, which has been so instrumental to the successes recorded in the fight against crime and criminality in our dear country.

The IGP further assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its commitment to continually dismantling criminal networks and making Nigeria an unsafe haven for perpetrators of crime.