The Niger State Police Command says it has rescued two abducted victims and neutralised three suspected kidnappers during a gun battle in the Wawa forest area of New-Bussa.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, in Minna.

According to Abiodun, the incident followed a report received at the New-Bussa Area Command on September 10 at about 7:30pm. The report indicated that suspected armed men had abducted two residents of Wako village and were demanding a ransom for their release.

Following the report, the surveillance team attached to the area command began an investigation and mobilised vigilante members to support a rescue operation in the Wawa forest.

The police spokesperson said the team encountered the suspected kidnappers during the operation, resulting in an exchange of gunfire between both sides.

Abiodun said the confrontation enabled the security team to rescue the two abducted victims without injury.

He added that three of the suspected kidnappers were neutralised during the gun battle, while other members of the group reportedly escaped with bullet wounds.

The command did not provide further details on the identities of the rescued victims or the suspected kidnappers.

The police said the operation followed the security alert raised after the abduction and involved coordinated efforts between the New-Bussa surveillance team and local vigilantes.

The latest operation adds to ongoing efforts by security agencies and community-based security groups to tackle kidnapping and other forms of armed crime in parts of Niger State.