Troops free 25 kidnapped victims in Katsina, Zamfara

Twenty-five people abducted by terrorists have regained their freedom following separate military operations in Katsina and Zamfara states.

The victims, comprising 23 civilians rescued in Zamfara and two others freed in Katsina, were recovered on Thursday as troops of Operation Fansan Yamma carried out patrols and offensive operations across the North-West.

Aliyu Danja, media information officer of the Joint Task Force (North-West), confirmed the development in a statement on Friday.

In Katsina, troops conducting a night patrol around Kwanar Kura in Sabuwa Local Government Area encountered terrorists, leading to a firefight.

The pressure from the troops forced the terrorists to withdraw into the surrounding bushes. Soldiers subsequently pursued them along their escape routes and located two victims who had been kidnapped along the Dandume-Damari road.

Two motorcycles abandoned by the fleeing terrorists were also recovered during the operation.

Meanwhile, troops of Sector 2 carried out a fighting patrol around Wuya Town in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara, where they rescued 23 abducted civilians.

Danja said those freed in the operation were three men and 20 women who had been taken from Gummi Local Government Area.

“Preliminary debriefing revealed that the victims were abducted from Gummi Local Government Area and had been held in terrorist captivity for approximately three weeks,” the statement said.

Following their rescue, the victims were taken to a medical facility for treatment and subsequently subjected to further debriefing by the authorities.

Danja said the operations underscored the military’s determination to protect civilians and dismantle terrorist networks operating within the joint operations area.

He added that troops would continue their offensive and patrol activities to restrict terrorists’ movements and prevent them from freely operating across the region.