The Sokoto State Police Command has rescued two kidnapped victims after raiding a suspected bandits’ hideout during a clearance operation in Yabo Local Government Area of the state.

The operation, conducted at about 6am on Sunday, November 8, followed intelligence reports about the presence of armed bandits and their captives at Dan Tafki village and surrounding hills opposite Binji Musa.

The police said the operation involved a joint team of personnel from the 7 Police Mobile Force, Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Yabo Police Division.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday, November 9.

According to him, the operatives came under heavy gunfire shortly after arriving at the suspected hideout, triggering a gun battle that lasted several hours.

He said the security team eventually overwhelmed the suspected bandits through coordinated tactical operations, forcing them to flee and abandon their captives.

Rufai said two hostages were subsequently rescued unharmed.

The victims were identified as Nafisa Abubakar and Aminu Sahabi, both residents of Dono village.

The police spokesman added that they were evacuated to a hospital, where they were receiving medical attention and psychological support.

During the operation, the joint security team also destroyed several structures allegedly used by the suspected bandits as hideouts and storage facilities, including silos.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, commended the operatives for their courage, professionalism and coordination.

Shaffa reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations against banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state.

The police also disclosed that a follow-up operation had commenced to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle any remaining criminal infrastructure in the area.

The command urged residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in locating and arresting the fleeing suspects.

It also advised members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest security formation.