Zamfara police have secured the release of 97 people from captivity in the Shinkafi and Tsafe forests of the state.
Police Commissioner Ayuba El-Kana made the revelation at a press conference in Gusau on Tuesday.
El-Kana said the ransom was the result of heavy pressure exerted on the bandits as a result of the ongoing military operation around the camp of a notorious bandit, known as Bello Turji, which covered the local government areas of Shinkafi, Zurmi and Birnin Magaji.
The Nigerian news agency (NAN) recalls that on January 3, Police Tactical Operations deployed in the Shinkafi axis, received an intelligence report that some kidnapped victims were seen stranded in the bush.
The police officers, in collaboration with real bandits and repentant vigilantes, jumped into action and rescued 68 victims from the forest.
The commissioner added that the victims were in captivity for more than three months and included; 33 adult men, seven boys, three girls and 25 women of expectant and lactating mothers.
The rescued victims were in the local government areas of Magarya, Maradun, Gusau de Zamfara and Sabon Birni LGA in Sokoto state.
El-Kana also revealed that on the same Monday, January 3, tactical police operations deployed in the Tsafe axis, acted on the intelligence report and raided the Kunchin Kalgo forest in Tsafe LGA, and rescued 29 unconditionally kidnapped victims.
He said the victims were in captivity for more than 60 days and were captured in three villages.
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The PC said the villages were Adarawa, Gana and Bayawuri in the Rijiya district of Gusau LGA, adding that 25 women of pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as four male children, were rescued.
The victims are said to have been abducted by the bandits’ boss, Ado Aleru.
El-Kana said that all the rescued victims were receiving medical treatment from joint medical teams of the state government and police.
According to him, they will be questioned and handed over to the state government before being reunited with their families.
(YAYA)