The Niger State Police Command has successfully rescued a 23-year-old kidnap victim, Mubarak Iliya, who was found wandering in the forest after escaping from his abductors.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, officers from the 12 PMF stationed at Mararaban Dan-Daudu checkpoint discovered the disoriented victim on May 22, 2025, at approximately 11:00 a.m.

Investigations revealed that Mubarak and his father, Iliya Daddi, were kidnapped from Gatawa village in Sabon-Birnin Local Government Area of Sokoto State during the Ramadan period in April.

"The victim recounted that unidentified armed bandits invaded their village, shooting sporadically. While attempting to flee, he and his father unfortunately ran into the hands of the attackers," SP Abiodun explained.

The victim told police that he and his father were tied up, blindfolded, and transported on motorcycles to an unknown location. Mubarak later managed to escape from captivity but became lost in the forest, where he wandered for eight days before being rescued by police operatives at a checkpoint in Niger State.

The police have provided medical attention to the victim and are currently making efforts to locate his relatives. The whereabouts of his father remain unknown.

SP Abiodun confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing, as authorities work to identify the perpetrators and potentially rescue other victims.

This incident highlights the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria's northwestern states, where kidnapping for ransom has become increasingly common in recent years.