MetroFour abducted tree cutters freed after gunfight in Niger

Four tree cutters who were abducted by suspected bandits have been rescued by the Niger State Police Command after a gunfight in Kankara area of the state.
The incident was contained in a post shared on X on Wednesday by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to the post, the rescue happened on February 3, 2026, when police patrol teams on confidence-building patrol along the Ketare–Kankara Road spotted suspected bandits hiding inside the Makulawa bush.

The police teams engaged the armed men in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat deeper into the forest. During the operation, the officers successfully rescued the four kidnapped victims.

The freed victims were identified as Ibrahim Dauda, 40; Yakubu Aliyu, 32; Hamisu Saidu, 23; and Aminu Garba, 22. They are all residents of Malumfashi Township.

The victims were later reunited with their families.

Security sources said major escape routes used by the bandits were immediately blocked, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.r

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