19 Kidnap Victims Regain Freedom After 22 Days In Zamfara

The Zamfara State Police Command has rescued 19 kidnapped victims, comprising women and children, after spending 22 days in captivity in the hands of armed bandits.

The victims, all indigenes of Tungar Haki village in Wanke district of Gusau local government area, were abducted by the bandits and taken to their camp around Kungurmi village.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Gusau on Sunday.

Abubakar said the rescue operation was carried out on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at about 10:00am, following credible intelligence on the whereabouts of the victims.

He said acting on the intelligence, a joint team comprising operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, personnel from Government House, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and local hunters, swiftly mobilised and embarked on a well-coordinated operation.

“The operation recorded a major success with the safe rescue of all 19 victims, who were found unharmed,” he said.

The rescued victims are Hadiza Sani, Haliru Yahyah, Jamilu Shehu, Nura Abdul, Mubarak Musa, Laulatu Habibu, Balki Maigari, Abida Shuaubu, Zainabu Adamu, Nana Aisha Abubakar, Hasana Wakala, Bashariya Wakala, Amina Wakala, Maarufa Yakuba, Zainabu Yahuza, Fatima Rufai, Nasira Muntari, Hasana Danyaro and Hayashe Biliyam.

Abubakar said all the victims have since been reunited with their respective families.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ahmad Muhammad Bello, has commended the joint security team for their courage, professionalism and effective collaboration which led to the successful rescue.

Bello reassured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, combating kidnapping and other criminal activities, and ensuring the safety and security of residents across the state.

He urged members of the public to continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information that could assist in preventing crime and facilitating ongoing security operations.