Police rescue kidnap victims, neutralise suspects in Niger

Three suspected kidnappers were reportedly neutralized while two abducted victims were rescued during a gun battle between security operatives and armed men in Wawa Forest, Borgu local government area of Niger State.

The operation followed a report received at the New-Bussa Area Command on September 10, 2026, that armed men had abducted two persons from Wako village through New-Bussa and were demanding ransom.

According to a statement issued by the Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, on Monday, the command’s surveillance team attached to New-Bussa Area Command mobilised with vigilantes to the forest on September 11 to rescue the victims.

Abiodun said the team intercepted the suspected kidnappers in the course of the operation, leading to a gun battle.

He said the two abducted victims were rescued unhurt, while three of the suspected kidnappers were neutralised.

“Others escaped with bullet injuries,” the police spokesperson added.

The rescued victims were subsequently debriefed, while investigation into the incident is ongoing.

The command urged members of the public to continue providing security agencies with timely and useful information to aid efforts to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state.

In a separate operation, Abiodun disclosed that two suspects were arrested and stolen cattle recovered following a report of cattle theft in Suleja.

According to him, a report was received at the ‘B’ Division, Suleja, on September 5, 2026, that a young herder who left home with cattle for grazing along the New-Gwazunu area on September 4 returned to discover that one of the animals was missing.

Police operatives commenced an investigation and arrested one Abdullahi Salisu, who allegedly confessed to the theft.

The suspect reportedly told investigators that he handed the cow over to two persons identified as Ismail and Puri, who are currently at large.

The investigation further revealed that the stolen cow was sold to one Habu before it was recovered from the residence of Suleiman Bawa at APC Quarters, Suleja, alongside two other cows.

According to the police, Bawa claimed that Habu had kept the animals with him.

Abdullahi Salisu and Bawa are currently in police custody for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to arrest Ismail, Puri and Habu.

Police rescue kidnap victims, neutralise suspects in Niger