By Augustine Ehikioya
In its onslaught against insecurity in Zamfara State, Police officials have rescued 21 kidnapped children in the State.
The rescued victims were among those abducted by suspected armed bandits at Kucheri Village, along Gusau – Funtua Road on 31st December, 2021.
Briefing journalists on the first day of year 2022 in Gusau, the Police Public Relations Officer, Zamfara State Police Command, SP Mohammed Shehu, also disclosed that two of the rescued children were female.
The briefing was monitored by Security Watch Africa (SWA).
According to a statement released on Saturday, he said “Gentlemen of the Press, On behalf of the Commissioner of Police Zamfara State Police Command, CP Ayuba N Elkanah psc (+), I welcome you to another Press Briefing regarding the unconditional rescue of twenty one kidnapped children including two (2) female, who were among the people abducted by suspected armed bandits at Kucheri Village, along Gusau – Funtua Road on 31st December, 2021 at about 2300hrs.
“On 31st December, 2021 at about 2300hrs, a distress call was received from Kucheri Village via Tsafe LGA that, armed bandits in their large number blocked Gusau – Funtua Federal Highway at Kucheri axis, and abducted unspecified number of commuters in five (5) different vehicles.
“Police Tactical Operatives in Conjunction with the Military promptly responded to the distress call and moved to scene, where they engaged the hoodlums to a serious gun battle.
“The Police Operatives succeeded in rescuing twenty one kidnapped children including two (2) female who were coming from Rini Village in Bakura LGA to Katsina State for Almajiri Islamiyya School along with their Scholar named, Lawali Ibrahim.
“The said scholar, Lawali Ibrahim and the driver of their Hummer Bus Vehicle were among the victims that are currently in captivity.”
The Commissioner of Police, the statement said, has already sent reinforcement of Police operatives to complement the effort of the joint security operatives currently working to “rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators.”
It added “The Zamfara State Police Command is using this medium to call on the general public especially drivers and passengers to desist from night journey.
“The night time is the period that is mostly used by the bandits to block road and kidnapped commuters in the State.
“On its part, the Police Command will continue to work assiduously to ensure the safety and security of the citizenry,” it stated.