Police rescue 7 kidnap victims in Niger, 1 killed during attack

In a continued effort to maintain internal security, the Niger State Police Command has successfully rescued seven kidnap victims following a recent abduction in Mashegu Local Government Area.

According to a statement by police spokesman, Superintendent Wasi’u Abiodun, the rescue operation came after a group of suspected kidnappers invaded the villages of Tungan-Boka and Masaha around 7 a.m. on May 3, 2025.

During the violent attack, the assailants abducted seven individuals and tragically shot one Garba Mohammed, who died on the spot.

However, at about 5pm of the same date, a team of Policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer with vigilante members mobilised for a rescue operation, and trailed the suspected kidnappers to a forest within Tungan-Boka village where the hoodlums were engaged in a gun duel.

Abiodun added that as a result of this, the seven kidnapped persons were rescued unhurt as the hoodlums escaped from the scene while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing miscreants.

Meanwhile, the police say they have also arrested seven robbery suspects with dangerous weapons and recovered fourteen handsets and four bags.

A spokesman for the police said, on May 1 at about 6pm, information was received that there was a robbery incident at APC Quarters, Suleja, where victims were robbed of their handsets and other valuables.

Consequently, Police operatives of ‘B’ Division Suleja were led to the scene by the Divisional Police Officer and a 16-year-old Mubarak Mohammed was pursued and arrested.

In the course of the investigation, the suspect confessed to taking part in the armed robbery and that there were thirteen of them as a syndicate. He led operatives to the arrest of others who were between the ages of 17 and 20.

The investigation, according to Abiodun, led to the recovery of six cutlasses, three torch lights, charms, fourteen handsets, and four bags from their hideout under a mango tree along Abuja-Kaduna Express Road.

The police, therefore, said all suspects are under investigation and they will soon be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna for further investigation and prosecution accordingly.