Seventeen people who were kidnapped in Niger State have been rescued by the police in Kaduna and handed over to the Niger State Government.
The victims were abducted on March 3, 2025, from Kango and Wuloto villages in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State. They were rescued in a joint operation carried out by the Nigeria Police and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
At a handover event held at the Police Command Headquarters in Minna, the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, thanked the security agencies for their teamwork and strong efforts in bringing the victims back safely.
“Our administration remains committed to the security and welfare of every citizen,” Garba said. “The reduction in criminal activities, especially in vulnerable areas like Munya and Shiroro, is the result of strategic collaboration with security agencies.”
He said the victims would receive proper medical care and emotional support to help them recover and return to their normal lives.
The Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, described the rescue as a success of “non-kinetic” methods, which means it was done without force. He said the operation depended on strong intelligence and cooperation between different agencies.
“This rescue is a product of effective synergy between the police and the Office of the National Security Adviser,” Elleman said. “It demonstrates our collective commitment to ending the menace of kidnapping and restoring peace to our communities.”
Out of the 17 people rescued, 15 are said to be from the same extended family. Their relatives, who had been waiting in fear and worry, expressed joy and relief at the reunion.
Government officials, security agents, and family members attended the handover event, with many praising the rescue as a major win in the fight against kidnapping and insecurity in Niger State.
