Police in Zamfara rescue 24 kidnapped victims.

The Zamfara Police Command claims to have rescued 24 people kidnapped by bandits in the Gurgurawa hamlet of the state’s Bungudu Local Government Area.

SP Muhammad Shehu, the Command’s spokesman, said this at a press conference in Gusau on Saturday.

The victims, including a seven-month-old baby, were rescued following a gun battle between security personnel and the criminals, according to Shehu.

“On 18th February, 2022 at about 2300hrs, police tactical operatives attached to 42 PMF Squadron Gusau, on Anti–Banditry Operations in the area received a distress call that armed bandits in large numbers invaded the village and abducted some members of the community.

“Receiving the information, the tactical operatives in collaboration with the vigilante in the area, swung into action and mobilised to the location for an extensive search and rescue operation.

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“On sighting the operatives, the hoodlums engaged them to a serious gun battle that lasted for an hour,” he said.

“The Commissioner assured members of the public of the police commitment to end the lingering security challenges bedeviling the state”.

He claimed that ten of the 24 victims had been reunited with their relatives in the hamlet, while the remaining 13 were in police custody before being released to their families.

One of the casualties is being treated at the hospital, he said, adding that the Commissioner of Police, Ayuba Elkana, praised the operatives’ tenacity and urged them to keep up the pace.