Police rescue two kidnap victims in Taraba raid

The Taraba State Police Command has rescued two kidnapped victims following a raid on a kidnappers’ hideout in Isinyi Forest, Tapga Village, Ibi Local Government Area (LGA).

According to a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Usman, the operation was conducted in the early hours of January 21, 2025, by detectives from the Ibi Division in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters.

“Police received reports of suspicious movements by suspected kidnappers around 5:00 a.m. Upon arriving at the scene, the team engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle.

“The suspects were overpowered and fled into the forest, abandoning two victims tied with ropes,” the statement said.

The rescued victims, identified as Alhaji Tafiyanu and Abubakar Isa, as made known by the police, are residents of Garin Bashar in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

“One of the victims, Alhaji Tafiyanu, sustained a deep cut on his left hand inflicted by the kidnappers. He is currently receiving treatment at the First Referral Hospital in Ibi and is reported to be in stable condition,” the statement read.

Preliminary investigations, as announced in the release, revealed that the victims had been abducted from Wase, Plateau State, stressing that “efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects as the investigation continues.”

The Commissioner of Police for Taraba State, Ukachi P. Opara, commended the collaborative efforts of the police, hunters, and vigilantes involved in the operation.

He also called on the public to remain vigilant and law-abiding while encouraging them to report suspicious activities to security agencies.

Citizens, emphasized by him, are reminded to utilize the Command’s control room hotline—08030972376—to provide timely information that could help combat crime in the state.