Kidnapped Sokoto Man Rescued In Niger After 8 Days In Forest

The Niger State Police Command has rescued 23-year-old Mubarak Iliya, a kidnap victim abducted from Gatawa village in Sokoto State, who lost his way while wandering through the forest.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, in Minna, on May 22, 2025, at about 11:00 a.m., police operatives of the 12 PMF stationed at the Mararaban Dan-Daudu pin-down point found Mubarak Iliya, 23, wandering in the forest.

He stated that after questioning, the victim was taken to the Gwada Division, where he disclosed that he had been kidnapped alongside his father, Iliya Daddi, both of Sabon-Birnin Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The PRO said, “The victim said that sometime in April, during the Ramadan period, some unidentified hoodlums invaded their village, shooting sporadically. Out of fear for their lives, he and his father ran but unfortunately ended up in the hands of the bandits.”



According to him, Mubarak alleged that they were both tied, blindfolded, and transported on motorcycles to an unknown destination, from which he later managed to escape.

Abiodun stated that the victim navigated the forest for eight days before being rescued by police operatives at a checkpoint in Niger State.

The PRO further stated that police took Mubarak into custody and provided him with medical attention.

Efforts to locate his relatives are ongoing.

Meanwhile, the investigation is in progress.