Five passengers were cruelly taken by alleged kidnappers who killed a commercial driver, Emeka, while they were traveling from Kebbi State to Asaba, Delta State.
The sad incident between Kwana-Barau and Kundu village in Niger State was understood to have occurred last weekend.
The state police command published a statement yesterday revealing that the attacker ambushed the car, a Toyota registered LND 863 YF, shot Emeka dead, and then captured four other occupants.
19 passengers who had been abducted while traveling from Sokoto to Bayelsa were successfully rescued in a different operation, according to the command.
The individuals in question were abducted on November 1, 2024, while riding in a Toyota bus registered LG 08 DGS. They were stopped along the Tegina-Zungeru road in Niger State and taken into a nearby forest.
In a statement released Monday, Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, acknowledged the incidences and emphasized that the victims in both cases were retrieved uninjured.
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At around six in the morning on November 3, 2024, it was reported that a car with the license plate LND 863 YF that was traveling from Yawuri in Kebbi State to Asaba in Delta State was ambushed by suspected kidnappers.
According to Abiodun, “the incident occurred between Kwana-Barau and Kundu village, resulting in the unfortunate death of the driver, Emeka, and the abduction of five persons.”
A joint security tactical team reacted quickly, searching the Kattako forest in Rafi Local Government Area, the police spokesperson added.
He further stated that “efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victim still in captivity, and four of the abducted passengers were rescued unharmed.”
Abiodun explained the situation of the 19 passengers who were kidnapped during the Sokoto-Bayelsa trip, stating that all of the passengers were safely rescued as a result of the joint security forces’ intense effort.
The remaining seven victims were rescued later that evening, bringing the total number of rescued to 19. He added, “Security operatives pursued the kidnappers immediately after the November 1 attack, leading to the recovery of twelve victims on November 2 in the Pangugari forest, Rafi LGA.”
“The victims were safely returned to Sokoto on November 3 after receiving medical attention at a nearby clinic,” Abiodun revealed.
