Seventeen kidnap victims who were recently freed from captivity in Kaduna State have been received by the Niger State Government. The victims, abducted on March 3, 2025, from Kango and Wuloto villages in the Munya Local Government Area, were rescued through a coordinated operation involving the Nigeria Police Force and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The formal handover took place at the Police Command Headquarters in Minna, where Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba expressed gratitude to the security operatives for their tireless efforts in securing the victims’ freedom.
“Our administration remains committed to the security and welfare of every citizen. The reduction in criminal activities, especially in vulnerable areas like Munya and Shiroro, is the result of strategic collaboration with security agencies,” said Garba. He also noted that despite the area’s troubled history with banditry and abductions, security initiatives over the past two years have led to a noticeable drop in such incidents.
The Deputy Governor assured the public that the state government would extend full support to the victims, including medical care and psychological assistance, to aid in their recovery and reintegration.
Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, who formally transferred custody of the victims, highlighted the importance of intelligence-driven operations in achieving such outcomes. “This rescue is a product of effective synergy between the police and the Office of the National Security Adviser. It demonstrates our collective commitment to ending the menace of kidnapping and restoring peace to our communities,” Elleman remarked.
Of the 17 individuals rescued, 15 were revealed to be members of the same extended family, making the event especially poignant for the community and relatives who had been anxiously awaiting their return.
Family members, top government officials, and security agents gathered at the event to welcome the victims, many visibly emotional as they reunited with their loved ones. The successful operation has been celebrated as a major step forward in the battle against organized crime in the region, boosting public faith in law enforcement’s ability to safeguard lives and restore stability.
