The Bauchi State Police Command has freed two kidnapped victims during a joint security operation in Gwamnare Forest in Ningi Local Government Area.
The command said the mission involved personnel from the Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Divisional Police Officer in Ningi and Forestry Guards, following directives from Sani-Omolori Aliyu to step up operations in areas experiencing increased kidnapping activities.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that the commissioner had instructed tactical teams to relocate to affected communities to facilitate the rescue of victims and apprehension of suspects.
Abubakar said, “In compliance with the Commissioner’s directive, operatives of the Command have successfully rescued two kidnap victims during a joint security operation conducted in Gwamnare Forest, Ningi Local Government Area.
“Situation report received at Ningi Division on July 1, 2026, at about 10:00hrs: a combined team of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit led by their respective Commanders, the DPO Ningi and team, and the Commander of Forestry Guards deployed by the Commissioner of Police moved into operation through the Rafin Chiyawa axis to Gwamnare in Ningi Local Government.”
He stated that the operation was prompted by recurring kidnapping cases in Dogon Ruwa and Rafin Chiyawa villages around the Gwamnare Forest area.
“During the operation, the team successfully rescued two victims, Alhaji Yahaya, male, 50 years old, of Masallachi Hamlet, Dogon Ruwa Village, and Alhaji Kabiru, male, of Gwamnare Forest.
“No casualty or loss of life was recorded during the operation,” the statement added.
The police spokesman said efforts were still underway to secure the release of other victims reportedly being held by kidnappers.
He added that the Commissioner of Police praised the courage and professionalism of the joint security operatives and assured residents of Dogon Ruwa, Rafin Chiyawa and neighbouring communities of the command’s determination to eliminate criminal elements operating in forests across the state.
