A passenger driver, simply identified as Emeka, was shot dead when suspected kidnappers abducted five passengers travelling from Kebbi State to Asaba in Delta State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the attack occurred at a point between Kwana-Barau and Kundu village, Niger State on Sunday during which five persons were abducted, but one Emeka, conveying the passengers in a vehicle with Reg. No. LND 863 YF the driver, was shot dead.

In a related incident, operatives in Niger State also rescued 19 passengers who were travelling from Sokoto to Bayelsa State before they were attacked by suspected kidnappers and taken into a forest.

The victims who were attacked by the kidnappers on November 1, 2024, were travelling in a Toyota bus with Reg. No. LG 08 DGS from Sokoto State. They were abducted at Gidan-Kwakwa along Tegina-Zungeru Road in Niger State.

The spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, who made this known in a statement, on Monday, disclosed that all the victims were rescued unhurt.

?On 03/11/2024 at about 0600hrs, it was reported that on the same date at about 0130hrs, suspected kidnappers attacked a vehicle with Reg. No. LND 863 YF from Yawuri Kebbi State heading to Asaba, Delta State.

?The attack occurred at a point between Kwana-Barau and Kundu village, and five persons were reportedly abducted. Unfortunately, one Emeka, the driver, was shot dead.

?The joint security tactical team responded and combed the forest, and in the process, four victims were rescued unhurt within Kattako forest, Rafi LGA. However, effort is being intensified to rescue the remaining one victim in captivity as the rescue operation continues,? Abiodun stated.

Abiodun also stated that the 19 passengers who were kidnapped on their way from Sokoto to Bayelsa State were rescued unhurt after intense pressure was put on the kidnappers.

?On 01/11/2024 at about 0630hrs, information was received that on the same date at about 0230hrs, some passengers who were in transit in a Toyota Bus vehicle with Reg. No. LG 08 DGS from Sokoto State heading to Bayelsa State were attacked by suspected kidnappers at Gidan-Kwakwa along Tegina-Zungeru Road and abducted 19 persons into the forest.

?Immediately the information was received, a joint security tactical team mobilised and trailed the suspected kidnappers, and as a result of the sustained pressure, 12 victims were abandoned by the hoodlums and they were rescued on 02/11/2024 at about 0642hrs along the Pangugari forest in Rafi LGA.

?As the rescue operation was intensified, fortunately, at about 2100hrs of the same date, the remaining seven victims were also rescued unhurt within the forest making a total of 19 victims rescued. The victims were taken to a nearby clinic for medical attention and they were released to return to Sokoto State on 03/11/2024,? Abiodun stated. (Text, excluding headline: The PUNCH