Forty kidnapped victims have been rescued by a coalition of professional hunters and vigilantes in Taraba State.
The announcement came on Monday from the Taraba State Police Command in Jalingo, the state capital, as the freed captives were presented to journalists.
Commissioner of Police David IIoyalonomo, confirming that all rescued victims hail from the Mumuye ethnic group, said they were liberated from captivity in Yorro and Zing councils.
The decision to enlist professional hunters and vigilantes, he said, marked a strategic shift in combating criminal activities, yielding tangible results within the state.
IIoyalonomo also paraded 10 suspected kidnappers, who, according to him, were arrested in Ardo-Kola Council by the police anti-kidnapping team.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to round-the-clock vigilance and ensuring a crime-free environment, highlighting the effectiveness of various strategies adopted by the command in combating crime.
Several rescued victims suffered injuries of varying degrees and are receiving immediate medical attention at the state specialist hospital, he said.
Among the items recovered from the apprehended kidnappers were an AK-47 rifle and ammunition.
Victims, recounting their traumatic experiences, appealed to both state and federal authorities to implement robust measures to counter banditry and kidnappings to ensure the safety of all citizens.
