Kebbi police free five kidnapping victims and detain three suspects after raid in Dakingari

The Kebbi State Police Command announced on Sunday that a coordinated operation in Dakingari, Suru Local Government Area, resulted in the rescue of five kidnapping victims and the arrest of three suspects. The operation was launched after police received credible intelligence that armed men had entered Dolen Kwandage Village and abducted three residents. Authorities confirmed the identities of the freed captives as Samaila Abubakar, 35, Dayyaba Muhammadu, 32, and Balki Hakimi, 31, alongside Moe Muddaha, 50, and Hadiza Bello, 30, who had also been held in Yarma Village.

According to Police Public Relations Officer SP Bashir Usman, police officers worked alongside local vigilantes to pursue the kidnappers, whose superior firepower forced them to abandon their captives. All five victims were taken unharmed to the General Hospital in Dakingari for medical checks before being reunited with their families. Three individuals were apprehended during the same intervention: Umaru Janyo, 49, and Bube Kwaire, 28, residents of Bendu Village, together with Muhammadu Gyade, 22, from Tindifai Village. Police reported that other gang members escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.

Background

The incident forms part of a broader pattern of kidnapping and armed robbery in north‑western Nigeria, prompting heightened police‑vigilante collaborations. The Kebbi State Police Command has previously emphasized community involvement in reporting threats, a strategy reflected in the rapid response to the intelligence about the Dolen Kwandage raid. Officers seized an unlicensed Haojue bike, ₦308,000 in currency, a chain, and a jerrycan, all of which are suspected to belong to the criminal group.

Commissioner of Police Umar M. Hadejia commended the security personnel and their vigilante collaborators for their rapid response, bravery, and efficient teamwork. He reaffirmed the agency's dedication to safeguarding citizens and assets, dismantling illicit organizations, and ensuring that those responsible for violent offenses face legal consequences. The police also announced intensified patrols and surveillance in the area to prevent further incidents.

Why it matters

The rescue directly impacts the victims and their families, restoring safety for residents of Dolen Kwandage and Yarma villages who have faced repeated threats from armed groups. The seizure of cash and equipment deprives the gang of resources that could fund further criminal activity. Moreover, the successful collaboration between police and local vigilantes underscores the importance of community‑based security measures in regions where state resources are stretched.

The arrests also send a deterrent signal to other criminal elements operating in Kebbi and neighbouring states, reinforcing the message that coordinated intelligence and rapid response can disrupt kidnapping networks. The ongoing pursuit of the fleeing suspects, some reportedly injured, indicates that the operation is part of a larger effort to dismantle the entire gang.

What happens next

Police officials indicated that efforts remain underway to locate and apprehend the remaining gang members who escaped the raid. The command has pledged to maintain heightened patrols and surveillance in Suru LGA, while continuing to encourage the public to provide timely and credible information to aid security operations. No further arrests have been announced as of the statement date.