Taraba Police, others Rescue 40 Kidnap Victims

A joint security operation by the Taraba State Police Command, local hunters and vigilantes has led to the rescue of over 40 kidnap victims in the Yorro and Zing Local Government Areas of the state. The state Commissioner of Police, David Iloyanomon, announced this at a press briefing in Jalingo, the state capital, on Monday.

Iloyanomon said the rescued hostages were taken to the police clinic for examination and treatment after they regained freedom. The rescued hostages according to the CP were kidnapped from rural communities in Yorro and Zing LGs. It was gathered that the kidnappers’ den, located at Gongomaliki mountain, was dislodged on Saturday by the hunters and vigilantes who were on a rescue mission.

“The combined team of police, hunters, and vigilantes acting on intelligence combed the mountains and rescued 40 victims. 10 kidnap suspects were arrested after they were dislodged from the mountains around Mallum and Kashuan Laadi in the neighbouring Ardo-Kola Local Government area of the state. “One AK47 and a den gun were recovered from the kidnappers and currently the police and the hunters are on the trail of kidnappers,” the statement read.

While urging the public to collaborate with security agencies in the fight against crime, the police boss said the command will continue collaborating with local security apparatus to ensure the state is rid of criminals. A suspected female kidnapper was apprehended by troops from the 93 Battalion under the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Taraba State as she was attempting to collect ransom for an abducted victim. The suspect, Janet Igohia, 31, was said to be arrested after picking up N 1.5m.