Police operatives in Niger have rescued 19 passengers in the state.
The victims were attacked by armed men along the Tegina-Zungeru road on November 1.
They were traveling in a Toyota bus from Sokoto to Bayelsa State when the armed men waylaid their bus on the highway.
The spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement on Monday night in Minna.
He said: “On 01/11/2024 at about 0630hrs, information was received that some passengers who were in transit in a Toyota Bus vehicle with Reg. No. LG 08 DGS from Sokoto State heading to Bayelsa State were attacked by suspected kidnappers at Gidan-Kwakwa along Tegina-Zungeru Road and abducted 19 persons into the forest.
“Immediately the information was received, a joint security tactical team mobilised and trailed the suspected kidnappers, and as a result of the sustained pressure, 12 victims were abandoned by the hoodlums and they were rescued on 02/11/2024 at about 0642hrs along the Pangugari forest in Rafi LGA.
“As the rescue operation was intensified, fortunately, at about 2100hrs of the same date, the remaining seven victims were also rescued unhurt within the forest making a total of 19 victims rescued.
‘The victims were taken to a nearby clinic for medical attention and they were released to return to Sokoto State on 03/11/2024.”