Police free 35 Boko Haram hostages in Niger

The driver of the vehicle, Yusuf Abdullahi of Birnin Gwari, who was conveying the victims to Yauri to hand them over to other members of the terrorist group, was arrested at Tegina.

Some of the victims had been dropped off to board another vehicle to Yauri.

Additional victims, including five women and six children, were intercepted in Agwara during an attempt to cross the river into Kebbi State.

Two magazines and 60 rounds of live ammunition were recovered by the police.

Niger State Police Command spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the rescue in a statement and said the victims were transferred to the State Police Headquarters in Minna for further investigation.

“Following the reports of suspected bandits relocating from Birnin-Gwari forest due to security forces’ clearance operations in the area, and from 3rd–5th July 2025, about 24 kidnapped victims, including women and children, who were kidnapped over a year ago from different locations in the state such as Pandogari, Madaka, Allawa, Sarkin-Pawa, even Taraba and other areas, were relocating to Yauri, Kebbi State.

“However, police tactical teams stationed along Madaka-Makujeri road intercepted most of the victims in a vehicle driven by Yusuf Abdullahi of B/Gwari, who was conveying them to Yauri to hand them over to other members of the group, while others were dropped at Tegina to board another vehicle to Yauri.

“The driver was arrested, the victims were rescued, and taken to a medical facility for attention before being reunited with their families.

“The investigation is ongoing with a view to rescuing other victims from the hoodlums and to also effect arrests.

“Similarly, on 4th July 2025 at about 4:30 pm, other victims comprising five women and six children were intercepted in Agwara during an attempt to cross the river to Yauri, Kebbi State.

“DPO Agwara Division took custody of them. Two magazines and sixty rounds of live ammunition were recovered. They were transferred to State Police Headquarters, Minna, for further investigation,” Abiodun said.

He added that the state Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, commended the efforts of the joint security teams and urged members of the public to provide actionable information to security agencies to help ensure the successful rescue of more victims.