Police rescue 3 kidnap victims after 40 days in captivity, arrest 5 suspects in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command has rescued three kidnapped victims who spent more than 40 days in captivity and arrested five suspected collaborators linked to the abduction syndicate.

The Command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement issued in Kaduna.

He said the victims were rescued during a coordinated security operation led by police personnel from Fushin Kada in collaboration with officers from Hunkuyi Division and other security agencies.

According to Hassan, the operation followed sustained intelligence gathering, strategic surveillance and coordinated efforts aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating in the area.

He explained that security operatives stormed a suspected bandits' hideout, forcing the criminals to flee upon sighting the advancing team.

"The suspects abandoned the victims and escaped into the surrounding bush. The victims were rescued unharmed during the operation," he said.

The rescued victims were identified as Ekechikwu Omale, Ummi Salisu of Kudan Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and Pastor Daniel Tanko Bawa of Tufa Village in Niger State.

Hassan said the victims were taken to a police medical facility for examination and treatment before being reunited with their families.

He added that five suspected informants were arrested during the investigation.

Preliminary findings, according to him, indicated that the suspects allegedly supplied information and provided logistical support to the kidnappers.

"The suspects confessed to their roles during interrogation, while investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal network," he said.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Rabiu Muhammad, commended the professionalism and collaboration among security agencies that led to the successful rescue.

Muhammad reiterated the command's commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.

He also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, noting that public cooperation remained critical to efforts aimed at combating criminality.