Nigerian troops rescue police officer, 3 others abducted by gunmen

ABUJA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- A retired senior police officer and three female civilians abducted by gunmen in central Nigeria have been rescued by troops, a military spokeswoman said on Monday.

The victims were abducted last week in the central Nigerian state of Niger.

They were rescued by troops in Makurdi, the capital of the middle-belt state of Benue, military spokeswoman Olabisi Olayeni told Xinhua.

The retired police officer was shot by the gunmen, she confirmed, saying the women were unhurt and had been reunited with their families.