Police: How pregnant women held by Turji were rescued

The Zamfara State Police Command says some pregnant women were among 97 abducted victims it rescued from captivity of bandits loyal to Bello Turji, a terror kingpin.

The state police commissioner, Mr Ayuba N Elkanah, said this when he presented the victims before the media on Tuesday.

He said joint Tactical operatives in Shinkafi and Tsafe LGAs had “unconditionally rescued” ninety seven (97) kidnapped victims including 7 pregnant women, 19 2-7 months old babies and 16 2-7 year old children.

“Following an extensive pressure mounted as a result of the ongoing Military operation around the camp of a notorious bandit’s kingpin known as Bello Turji that covers Shinkafi, Zurmi and Birnin Magaji Local Government area.”

“On Monday, Police Tactical operatives deployed at Shinkafi axis received an intelligence report that, some kidnapped victims were seen stranded in the bush.

“The Police operatives in collaboration with genuine repentant bandits and vigilante swung into action and rescued sixty eight (68) victims from the forest. The victims were in captivity for over three months and they include 33 male adult, 7 male children, 3 female children and 25 women including pregnant/nursing mothers respectively,” he said.

He added that the victims were held from Magarya, Maradun, Gusau of Zamfara and Sabon Birni LGA in Sokoto State.

“Still on Monday , Police Tactical operatives deployed in Tsafe axis acted on intelligence report and stormed Kunchin Kalgo forest in Tsafe LGA and rescued twenty nine (29) kidnapped victims unconditionally.”

“The victims were abducted for over 60 days from three villages namely; Adarawa, Gana and Bayawuri in Rijiya District of Gusau LGA, they include 25 female including pregnant/nursing mothers and 4 male children. The victims were said to have been abducted by a Bandits’ kingpin Ado Aleru.

“All the rescued victims are currently receiving medical treatment from the joint medical teams of the State Government and the Police. They will be debriefed, hand over to the State Government before they are reunited with their families.”