Two kidnapped victims have been rescued in Kebbi State following a fierce gun battle between a combined security team and suspected bandits in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area. The rescue operation, which took place on Friday near Dankade village, was led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ribah Division, in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters.
The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the successful operation in a statement released over the weekend by its spokesperson, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar.
According to CSP Abubakar, the victims – Tukur Bello, aged 26, from Kembawa village in Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi, and Isyaka Abubakar, 25, from Budun village in Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara State were safely recovered after several hours of armed confrontation with the kidnappers.
He said the two men had been abducted on August 9, 2025, while herding cattle in Gairi forest, located in Zamfara State, a known hotspot for banditry in the northwest region.
“The victims were taken deep into the forest by their abductors, who intended to keep them until a ransom was paid,” the statement read. “However, due to sustained pressure and intelligence gathering, our operatives, in collaboration with vigilantes and local hunters, located their hideout and engaged the bandits in a heavy gun duel.”
After overpowering the bandits, the security team safely rescued the victims without any injuries. Both men were taken to a nearby hospital for medical examination and later reunited with their families.
The police spokesperson commended the bravery and commitment of the security operatives and local volunteers who participated in the rescue, noting that their cooperation was vital in ensuring the safety of the victims.
“This success reflects the importance of strong collaboration between security agencies and local communities in tackling the growing menace of kidnapping and banditry,” CSP Abubakar said.
He also praised the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Chris Aimionowane, for maintaining pressure on criminal elements across the state and boosting morale among officers.
The rescue operation comes amid growing security concerns in parts of northern Nigeria, especially in states like Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna, and Niger, where kidnapping for ransom has become a major threat to rural communities. Herdsmen, farmers, and travellers are frequently targeted by armed groups who operate from remote forests and demand huge ransoms for release.
Dankade village and its surrounding areas in Danko/Wasagu LGA have seen a series of attacks in recent years, with residents calling on the government to increase security presence and surveillance.
This latest rescue brings hope to communities who have been living in fear of bandits, and it underscores the importance of quick response and intelligence-led policing in tackling insecurity.
Meanwhile, the Kebbi State Police Command has urged the public to continue sharing timely and useful information that could lead to the arrest of criminals.
“We assure residents that the Police, in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders, will not relent in the fight against all forms of criminality in the state,” the police statement added.
Security experts have commended the proactive efforts of the Police and local security volunteers, calling for increased funding, training, and logistics support to strengthen the capacity of rural policing.
A retired security officer, Musa Abdulkarim, while speaking to reporters, noted that traditional institutions and community leaders must also play a more active role in supporting security personnel with intelligence and logistics.
“The truth is, the police cannot do it alone. Community policing is now more important than ever,” he said.
Family members of the rescued victims expressed gratitude to the security team and the state government. A relative of one of the victims, Alhaji Bello Umar, thanked the Ribah Police Division and vigilantes for their timely intervention.
“We had already lost hope. We thought they would be killed. But God used these brave men to rescue them. May Allah reward them,” he said emotionally.
The Kebbi State Government is yet to make an official statement on the incident, but sources say Governor Nasir Idris has been briefed and has commended the effort of the police.
In the meantime, security has been beefed up around Dankade and other vulnerable areas within the local government, as operatives continue to patrol the forest corridors to prevent further attacks.
With this latest success, residents are hopeful that with better coordination between government forces and local communities, the tide against kidnapping and banditry may begin to turn.
