The Bauchi State Police Command said it has rescued 49 kidnap victims and arrested 35 kidnappers in the state within the last 40 days.

This was disclosed by the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu at a media briefing at the police headquarters in Bauchi.

According to him, the command also arrested five cattle rustlers, 10 armed robbery suspects and a police impersonator within the period.

Gwandu said items recovered included three Ak 47 and one AK 49 rifles, 10 fabricated guns, six pistols, one toy pistol, 303 rounds of live ammunition of 7.62mm, six rounds of 7.5m live ammunition and seven cartridges.

He also stated that five vehicles, eight Bajaj and one Jincheng motorcycle were also recovered during the arrest of the suspects.

Also recovered from the suspects were 171 cows, 133 sheep and goats and a total of N176,070.

Gwandu said, “Bauchi as one of the states in the north-east of Nigeria is confronted with numerous security challenges such as insurgency, kidnapping, armed banditry, cattle rustling, rape and other violent crimes.

“The location of Balmo Forest in Darazo Local Government Area, Buzum in Ganjuwa Local Government Area and the Yankari Games Reserve in Alkaleri Local Government Area provides haven for criminal elements in the state.

“Recently, there has been an upsurge in kidnappings of locals for ransom in those areas. We suspect the criminals hide inside these forests, which make it difficult for the law enforcement agencies to apprehend them due to the terrain, poor communication network,” Gwandu stated.

He stated that 45 suspects had been charged to court while 20 others were being investigated.

Azeez