The Nigeria Police has said two kidnap victims have been rescued in the on-going Operation Puff Adder, even as three male suspects have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping.
A press statement by Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Frank Mba, Sunday in Abuja, said two Ak47 rifles and 258 rounds of live ammunition of 7.62mm calibre were also recovered from the suspects
He said the two victims, Ali Abu Sale, 34; and Bala Bawa, male, 37; were kidnapped from their residence at Maijaki Village, Lapai LGA of Niger state, on May 1, 2019, and held at two separate kidnappers’ camp.
According to him, they were rescued following a joint tactical rescue mission involving policemen from the Technical Intelligence Units, Special Tactical Squad and other undercover operatives attached to Operation Puff Adder.
The spokesperson said while Sale was rescued at Mai Lamba Forest near Lapai; Bawa was rescued at Gada Biu on the outskirts of Abuja.
He said the kidnappers had demanded N8 million ransom for the two victims.
The statement further said three suspects: Mohammed Bello, aka Dan Hajia, 42; Suleiman Musa, aka Dan Auta, 38; and Abubakar Bello, aka Abu Kango, 28; are in police custody helping in the investigation.
Mba said one of the suspects, following a serious gun duel with the rescue operation was fatally injured and subsequently died.
He said investigation was continuing even as the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has commended the efforts of the operatives and promised that the police would continue the intensive onslaught against kidnappers and other heinous criminals.
