The Zamfara State Police Command has successfully rescued social activist Hamdiya Sidi Shariff from bandits, contrary to widespread social media speculation claiming she was arrested and detained by police in Bakura Local Government Area of the state.

State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Maikaba, clarified the situation on Thursday, stating that Hamdiya, who hails from Sokoto State, was actually abducted by suspected bandits before being rescued by police officers in Bakura.

"The speculation claiming that Hamdiya Sidi Shariff was arrested and detained by the police in Bakura is not true," Commissioner Maikaba explained. He added that following her rescue, the Divisional Police Officer brought her to the command headquarters to be reunited with her family.

According to the Commissioner, police authorities ensured comprehensive medical examinations were conducted on Hamdiya to verify her health condition before handing her over to her relative, Fatima Bello.

Hamdiya herself confirmed the police account, refuting claims of her arrest and detention by law enforcement. She narrated her ordeal while expressing gratitude for the rescue operation.

Fatima Bello, who received Hamdiya at the Zamfara Police Command, expressed profound gratitude to the Commissioner and the Divisional Police Officer of Bakura Division for their efforts in rescuing her relative from the bandits.

This rescue operation comes amid increasing concerns about banditry and kidnapping in northwestern Nigeria, where criminal gangs have terrorized communities through mass abductions and violent attacks in recent years.