The Kebbi State Police Command has successfully rescued six kidnapped victims following a fierce gunfight with armed bandits in Donko, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.
The victims were freed unharmed after police operatives and local vigilantes launched a coordinated counterattack that forced the abductors to flee.
According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, the operation was part of an intensified campaign to stamp out banditry and other forms of violent crime across the state.
Abubakar disclosed that the armed assailants had invaded three communities, Ukuhu, Tungar Wazga, and Unguwar Chiroma, on Saturday, November 2, abducting ten residents in the process.
Acting swiftly on intelligence, the Divisional Police Officer of Danko mobilized a tactical team and local vigilantes to intercept the fleeing criminals.
“The joint team tracked the kidnappers to Marina village, near the Zamfara border, where they engaged them in a heated exchange of gunfire,” Abubakar stated.
“The pressure from our operatives forced the bandits to abandon six hostages before retreating into the forest with likely gunshot wounds.”
The rescued victims, identified as Abubakar B. Abubakar (25), Nasiru Magawata (18), Abdul Magawata (15), Buhari Ukuhu (17), Kamalu Magawata (12), and Naziru Magawata (11), were immediately taken for medical evaluation and later reunited with their families.
Speaking on the operation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Bello M. Sani, commended the courage of the officers and the support of the vigilante group.
He described the rescue as “a reflection of what can be achieved when communities and security agencies work together in trust and coordination.”
He added that search efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining four abductees and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
“We are determined to ensure that no criminal element finds safe haven in Kebbi State,” Sani said.
“Our officers will continue to respond swiftly and decisively to any threat against public safety.”
The police also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and share timely intelligence that could aid in tracking criminal movements in rural communities.
The latest rescue operation follows a similar breakthrough in Kwara State last month, where police operatives freed a victim, Haruna Ahamadu, from a kidnapper’s den in Omu-Aran forest after a joint effort with local vigilantes.
Meanwhile, security analysts believe the renewed synergy between law enforcement and local communities is gradually yielding positive results across the Northwest, where banditry remains a persistent threat.