December 09, (THEWILL) – Officers of the Nigeria Police Force have successfully rescued 23 kidnapped victims, including 20 in Katsina State and three in Akwa Ibom State, in a series of operations lauded for their bravery and precision.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, highlighting the efforts of police operatives to counter the rising tide of kidnappings across 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, who had ambushed a vehicle carrying 10 passengers.
“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,” Adejobi said.
On the same day, another rescue operation took place along the Funtua-Gusau road. Police operatives responded swiftly to a reported ambush of a vehicle conveying 10 passengers.
“In a fierce gun duel, the police successfully overpowered the bandits, rescuing all 10 abducted victims without injuries,” he added.
The statement also detailed a series of operations carried out by the Akwa Ibom State Command.
On December 4, police operatives rescued a young woman who had been abducted by one Abraham Patrick Francis. The suspect allegedly intended 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,” Adejobi confirmed.
Further, on December 5, police operatives raided a kidnappers’ den in the Amayam and Ikot Ukpong villages of Akwa Ibom.
“During the operation, two kidnapped 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 noted.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, assuring citizens that efforts to combat criminal activities would remain relentless.
Adejobi called on the public to provide timely information to assist security operatives in their efforts to rid the nation of kidnappings and other forms of criminality.
“These successful operations are a testament to the resilience and dedication of our officers in ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians,” he said.
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