POLICE RESCUE TWO KIDNAP VICTIMS AFTER GUN BATTLE WITH BANDITS IN SOKOTO

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Sokoto State Police Command has rescued two kidnapped victims following a fierce gun battle with suspected bandits during a clearance operation in Yabo Local Government Area of the state.

The operation, conducted in the early hours of Sunday, November 8, involved a joint team of operatives from the 7 Police Mobile Force, Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Yabo Police Division.

The command said the operation followed credible intelligence about the presence of armed bandits and their captives at Dan Tafki village and surrounding hills opposite Binji Musa in Yabo LGA.

In a statement on Monday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the operatives came under heavy gunfire after storming the suspected hideout, triggering a gun battle that lasted several hours.

He said the security team eventually overwhelmed the bandits through superior firepower and coordinated tactical operations, forcing them to flee and abandon their captives.

“Unable to withstand the sustained pressure from the team, the bandits fled the scene in disarray, abandoning their captives and leaving behind their hideout.

“Two hostages were subsequently rescued unharmed from the scene of the operation,” the statement said.

The rescued victims were identified as Nafisa Abubakar and Aminu Sahabi, both residents of Dono village.

The police said they were immediately evacuated to a hospital, where they were receiving medical attention and psychological support.

The command added that the joint security team destroyed several structures allegedly used by the bandits as hideouts, including silos.

Reacting to the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, commended the operatives for their professionalism, bravery and coordination.

Shaffa reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustained clearance operations against banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state.

He assured residents that security agencies would intensify intelligence-driven operations to dismantle criminal networks and protect lives and property.

The command also disclosed that a follow-up operation had commenced to track down the fleeing bandits and destroy any remaining criminal infrastructure in the area.

It urged residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information that could lead to the arrest of the fleeing suspects.

The police further advised members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest security formation.