Troops intercept N9.8m ransom, rescue 27 kidnapped victims in Kaduna, Kebbi

The troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted N9.89 million ransom allegedly being conveyed for three kidnapped siblings and rescued 27 victims in separate operations.

The operations were conducted between August 27 and 28, 2026, across Kaduna, Zamfara, and Kebbi states.

The army, in a statement issued on Saturday, August 29, said troops of 4 Demonstration Battalion intercepted a vehicle conveying the ransom during a snap check at Kadage in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The army said the money was allegedly being conveyed for delivery to kidnappers who abducted three siblings at Kwangila in Zaria Local Government Area on August 13.

It stated that the kidnappers had reportedly demanded N9.9 million ransom, to be delivered at a filling station in Galadimawa.

The army said: “The troops apprehended the occupants of the vehicle and recovered the cash for further investigation.

“In Zamfara, troops of 1 Brigade rescued 16 kidnapped persons in two separate operations in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.”

The army said troops engaged terrorists at Kaura Namoda community and forced them to flee, abandoning four kidnapped victims.

It added that troops had in another operation around Kwanoni village, engaged the terrorists and rescued 12 victims abducted from two vehicles.

The army noted that the victims were subsequently released to continue their journey.

In Kebbi State, the army said the troops of 223 Light Tank Battalion rescued 11 persons abducted from farms around Binoni village in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.

It added that the troops engaged the terrorists following credible intelligence, forcing them to flee and abandon the victims.

The army stated: “In Kaduna, troops also arrested three suspected terrorists and recovered two locally made guns and 13 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

“The suspects were apprehended after one of them was intercepted at Akote in Kagarko Local Government Area while allegedly transporting the weapons.

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“In Zamfara, troops of 26 Battalion foiled an attempted terrorist movement at Kwanar Jolof in Shinkafi Local Government Area.

“The troops, acting on surveillance information, ambushed 14 terrorists travelling on seven motorcycles and forced them to flee.

“They recovered one motorcycle, an RPG bomb without fuse, a sleeping mat and a blanket.”

The army further revealed that troops foiled a terrorist attack on a military location at Jabo in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

It said the assailants withdrew after reinforcement troops engaged them, while two civilians who sustained gunshot wounds were evacuated for medical attention.

In Anambra State, the army said the troops of 15 Brigade, in conjunction with the police, intercepted three AK-47 rifles, a pump-action gun, six rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and two pump-action cartridges.

The army disclosed that the weapons were recovered during a snap check at Isuofia in Aguata Local Government Area from occupants of two vehicles.

It added that the latest operations underscore the military’s continued efforts to disrupt kidnapping and terrorist networks, deny criminals access to ransom, and rescue abducted citizens.