Thirty-five residents of Niger State, comprising 16 women and 19 children, have finally reunited with their families after weeks in police protective custody following their rescue from the clutches of bandits.
The victims, abducted from various communities including Kagara, Tegina, and Agwara, had been held in captivity for months before being freed by security operatives. Since their rescue, they have received care, counselling, and rehabilitation under the supervision of the Niger State Police Command.
According to the police spokesperson, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, the victims were officially handed over to the Chairman of Rafi Local Government Area, Ayuba Usman Katako, on Tuesday. The handover was witnessed by top police officials, including the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman.
The Commissioner noted that the victims were initially rescued on July 3, 2025, after police received credible intelligence that they were being relocated from Birnin-Gwari by their captors. Acting swiftly, police operatives intercepted the first group—five women and six children—while they attempted to cross the river at Agwara.
Further operations along the Mekujeri-Tegina Road led to the interception of additional batches, including four women and seven children, and another group being transported by a commercial driver. The driver, identified as Yusuf Abdullahi from Birnin-Gwari, is currently under investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to determine his level of involvement with the bandits.
“Throughout their stay in our custody, the victims received proper medical care, counselling, food, and accommodation. They also underwent a deradicalisation process to help them reintegrate into society,” Commissioner Elleman said.
He added that the police, in collaboration with the state government, are committed to ensuring the victims recover fully from their trauma and are safely reintegrated into their communities.
