Several people, believed to be kidnappers, were reportedly killed in a gun duel between them and members of a local vigilantes collaborating with hunters, at the Achido forest, bordering the Federal Capital Territory FCT and Nasarawa State.
One of the hunters, Iliyasu Adamu, who was part of the operation, told newsmen on Thursday thatthe victims were rescued on Tuesday, November 5 after Miyetti Allah vigilante group and the hunters engaged the Kidnappers in their hideout at the Achido village.
He said the kidnappers’ hideout were discovered after one of the kidnapped victims escaped from their den and disclosed his abductors’ location.
He said after their hideout was revealed, the Miyetti Allah vigilantes and the hunters mobilized to the forest.
He said several kidnappers, including their leader, were neutralised during the cross fire, adding that some of them fled with bullet injuries.
According to him, some of the rescued victims had been in captivity for over four months, adding that some of them were abducted at Gwombe, Ukya, Atako in FCT and some neigbouring villages in Toto Local Government Area LGA of Nasarawa State.
One of the rescued victims, identified as Abdullahi, said he was working on his farm when he was kidnapped by gunmen some weeks ago.
He said the victims were held captive inside a deep gully, until the vigilantes and the hunters came to rescue them after exchanging fire with their abductors.
He said, “I was in my farm when the kidnappers suddenly appeared and whisked me away at gun point. But I give thanks to God and the vigilantes as well as hunters who came to my rescue alongside 13 others.”
The chairman of Toto LGA of Nasarawa State, Pharmacist Ahmed Baba Yahaya, confirmed the rescue of the 14 abducted victims by vigilantes and hunters in the area.
He said the victims had been reunited with their families and commended the vigilantes and the hunters for the operation.
