The Police in Zamfara State said they have rescued 187 people abducted and held captive by bandits in Tsibiri Forest in Maradun Local Government Area of the state.

Some of those rescued are natives of Gora Namaye, Rini, and Shinkafi in Zamfara while the others are from Sabon Birnin LGA in Sokoto State.

The police spokesperson in the state, Muhammad Shehu, who disclosed this in a statement issued in Gusau on Thursday, said the rescued victims comprise males, female adults and children and have been handed over to the state government.

“Following the implementation of the new security measures by the Zamfara State Government, the police and other security agencies have been carrying out assaults on identified bandits locations in different parts of the state, with a view to ridding the state of all recalcitrant bandits and other criminal elements.

“Today, 7th October, 2021, police tactical operatives, in a joint operation at Tsibiri forest in Maradun local government area of the state, succeeded in the unconditional rescue of 187 victims abducted in Rini, Gora, Sabon Birni and Shinkafi communities in Bakura Maradun and Shinkafi LGAs respectively.

“The abducted victims, who had spent many weeks in captivity, were unconditionally rescued following extensive search and rescue operations that lasted for hours,” Mr Shehu said.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ayuba Elkanah, handed over the rescued victims to Governor Bello Matawalle. Speaking at the event, he said the new security measures in the state have led to the rescue of hundreds of abducted victims.