By Correspondent in Gusau.
No fewer than 97 victims in Zamfara state have secured their freedom from bandits, according to the Commissioner of Police Commissioner in the charge of the police Command in the state, CP Ayuba EEl-Kana,
He disclosed the number in Gusau on Tuesday while confirming the freedom at a news conference, adding that the victims were those secured from from Shinkafi and Tsafe forests of the State.
The police boss explained that the rescue was the outcome of the extensive pressure mounted on bandits, sequel to the ongoing military operation around the camp of a notorious bandit, known as Bello Turji that covering Shinkafi, Zurmi, and Birnin Magaji Local Government Areas of the state.
Our Correspondent recalls that on January 3, Police Tactical Operatives deployed at Shinkafi axis, received an intelligence report that some kidnapped victims were seen stranded in the bush.Ó
The police boss related that the police operatives, in collaboration with genuine repentant bandits and vigilantes swung into action and rescued 68 victims from the forest.
The commissioner added that the victims were in captivity for over three months, adding that they include; 33 male adults, seven male children, three female children, and 25 women comprising of pregnant and nursing mothers.
The rescued victims, CP affirmed, were held from Magarya, Maradun, Gusau local government areas of Zamfara, and Sabon Birni LGA in Sokoto State.
El-Kana also disclosed that on, January 3, Police Tactical operatives deployed in Tsafe axis, acted on intelligence report and stormed Kunchin Kalgo forest in Tsafe LGA, and rescued 29 kidnapped victims unconditionally.
He said that the victims were in captivity for over 60 days and were captured from three villages.
The CP said the villages were Adarawa, Gana, and Bayawuri in Rijiya District of Gusau LGA, adding that 25 female of both pregnant and nursing mothers as well as four male children were rescued.
The victims were said to have been abducted by a Bandits’ kingpin, Ado Aleru.
The CP further told Journalists that all the rescued victims were currently receiving medical treatment from the joint medical teams of the state government and the police.
According to him, that they will be debriefed and handed over to the state government before being reunited with their families.
Edited by Dada Ahmed with agency report.
