By Ishaq Zaki

Police rescued 39 kidnap victims in Zamfara on Sunday and arrested 10 suspects including members of the outlawed “Yankasai’’ group.

Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Ayuba Elkanah, stated this on Monday in Gusau.

He stated that operatives rescued the victims abducted in March and in early April at various villages and locations in Bungudu and Maru Local Government Areas of the state.

“The rescued victims are eight male, 15 female including nursing mothers, and 16 children.

“The victims have been treated by the joint police and state government medical teams and debriefed by detectives.

“They will be handed over to officials of the two local government areas to reunite them with their families,’’ he stated.

Elkanah added that police also recovered locally-fabricated guns, one stolen Honda vehicle 2012 model and four motorcycles among other exhibits,

“There is on-going clearance operation by the joint police and military taskforce at Dabar Magaji camp located at Kadanya Forest between Kaura Namoda and Maradun Local Government Areas,’’ the police commissioner added.

Receiving the victims, Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, commended the police for their hard work.

“We are very grateful to the police for their sacrifice and hard work.

“I commend Gov. Bello Matawalle for supporting the police to discharge their responsibilities.

“I call on governments at all levels and other stakeholders to continue to give the police necessary support,’’ the emir said.

In separate remarks, chairmen of Bungudu and Maru Local Government Councils LGs, Mr Sadiq Maiturare and Mr Salisu Dangulbi, respectively, commended the police for rescuing the victims.

(NAN)