The Zamfara State Police Command has rescued 12 kidnap victims in the Maradun Local Government Area of the state.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Shehu, the rescue efforts were made possible following a collaboration with the State Peace and Reconciliation Committee.

Gunmen had stormed Kaya village of Maradun local government in the early hours of today and whisked away the victims.

The victims including seven women and three men were abducted and taken to Sububu forest but later released following the ongoing peace process initiated by Governor Mohammed Bello Matawalle.

“All the rescued kidnapped victims have been debriefed by the Police and later handed them over to the sole Administrator of Maradun local government hale and hearty, who will reunite them with their families.

“Investigation regarding the abduction of the victims has commenced and the outcome will be made public,” the police spokesman added.

In a another development, the Police Command in Osun says it has arrested 10 suspected cultists in a hotel in Ikire.

In a statement by Osun Police Spokesperson Yemisi Opalola, the police said that the arrest was made on Monday after officers received a tipoff from the public.

“Upon receiving a tipoff from the public that some suspected cult members are planning to carry out their nefarious activities around Ikire axis.

“Police operatives promptly moved in and arrested 10 suspected members of cult groups in a hotel.

“In view of this, the command enjoined the public as partner in community policing efforts to provide us with adequate and useful information at any time when such unlawful gathering/activities is sighted before the criminals carry out their evil activities.

“Parents and guardians are hereby advised to monitor their children to be law-abiding and not allow their wards to be lured into any act that could truncate their future,” Opalola said

Similarly, the police spokesperson stated that following a cult rivalry fight in Osogbo on Sunday between suspected Eiye and Aiye cult confraternity members, some of the cult members had been arrested and would be prosecuted soon.

She added that intensive manhunt was, however, ongoing to ensure every member of the groups was arrested.

In another development, the police command said it had secured the release of the traveller kidnapped by gunmen on Thursday on Ife-Ilesha – Osu highway in Atakumosa East Local Government Area of Osun.

Opalola said that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, mounted aggressive pressures on the kidnappers which eventually led to the release of the victim at about 10 p.m. on Sunday, without any ransom paid.

She said the rescued victim was receiving treatment in a hospital, adding that the rescued victim was the only one kidnapped by gunmen as against three persons reported.

She enjoined newsmen and other social media users to do proper investigation before publishing to avoid misleading stories. (Channels TV/NAN)

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