Troops rescue seven kidnap victims in Kano

Troops of Operation MESA under the 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have rescued seven abducted persons following a bandit attack on Yankamaye Cikin Gari village in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Capt. Babatunde Zubairu, said in a statement on Sunday that the attack occurred on November 29 around 11:00 p.m., when a large group of bandits on foot invaded the community, abducted 10 residents and killed a 60-year-old woman.

He said soldiers and police operatives swiftly mobilised to the area after receiving a distress call and pursued the attackers towards Rimaye.

The troops engaged the bandits with heavy firepower and successfully rescued seven victims.

According to him, the fleeing bandits escaped towards Kankia in Katsina State, while efforts are ongoing to track them down.

The Commander of 3 Brigade commended the troops for their bravery and urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies.

However, between Monday and Tuesday, 10 persons were kidnapped in Biresawa and Tsundu communities in the same local government area.

A relative of some of the victims, Kabiru Usman, said the attackers arrived on foot at about 10 p.m. and abducted five residents from each of the two villages, including his wife, daughter, and other family members.

He said locals attempted to resist the attack but were overpowered because the gunmen were heavily armed.

Usman added that residents had notified security agencies after receiving warnings that the bandits were approaching.

Kano police spokesman, Abdullahi Kiyawa, said the command would verify the report and provide updates.