A two-year-old girl was among the 17 victims of kidnapping rescued in Kaduna State by the combined efforts of the Kaduna Police Command and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

The victims, comprising 11 females, the child, and six males all hailed from Kango and Wuloto communities in Kuchi Ward of Munya Local Council of Niger State, were abducted about a month ago in Wuloto Village.

Receiving the victims on Friday ,at the Police Headquarters in Minna, the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, applauded the collaborative efforts of the security agencies.

Garba acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to eradicating insecurity, saying that there’s significant progress in the fight against criminal activities.

He expressed optimism that insecurity would soon become a thing of the past, allowing Nigerians to live without fear.

The deputy governor appreciated the humanitarian efforts of the Kaduna State Government in caring for the victims, including conducting medical examinations to ensure their readiness to reunite with their families and reintegrate into society.

“Under the directive of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, the victims will remain in government custody temporarily to ensure they are fully rehabilitated, both medically and psychologically, before returning to their communities,” Garba said.

He lauded the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies for their dedication to eliminating criminal elements in Niger State, promising them of continued government support.

The Niger State Police Commissioner, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, hinted that the rescue operation was achieved through inter-agency collaboration and strategic intelligence deployment by the anti-kidnapping unit of the Kaduna State Police Command and the NSA.

Elleman explained that the victims were rescued unharmed through a non-kinetic approach and were medically examined before being handed over to the Niger State Government.

He had warned that criminals must either repent or leave the state, as they would be found, arrested, and prosecuted.