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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Nigerian troops, police rescue 22 kidnap victims in North-West, North-Central operations

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Security forces in Nigeria's North-West and North-Central regions rescued 22 kidnap victims during recent operations.
  • Operations included foiling abduction attempts and arresting suspected terrorists in multiple states.
  • The intensified offensives aim to dismantle criminal networks and restore stability in affected areas.

Nigerian security forces have achieved significant successes in counter-terrorism and anti-kidnapping operations across the North-West and North-Central regions. Recent intensified efforts have led to the rescue of 22 abducted individuals and the apprehension of criminal collaborators in states like Katsina, Zamfara, Kogi, Kebbi, and Kwara.

In Katsina and Zamfara states, troops under Operation Fansan Yamma rescued seven victims and thwarted kidnapping attempts. Acting on intelligence, troops stormed a terrorist enclave in Fafu Village, Katsina, forcing criminals to flee and abandon their captives. "Overwhelmed by the aggressive assault and superior firepower of the troops, the terrorists abandoned their camp and the abducted victims," stated Lt Col Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer for Operation Fansan Yamma. Four victims were rescued at the site and are receiving medical attention.

Overwhelmed by the aggressive assault and superior firepower of the troops, the terrorists abandoned their camp and the abducted victims.

— Lt Col Aliyu DanjaMedia Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, commenting on the rescue of victims in Katsina State.

Further operations in Zamfara State saw troops respond to a distress call in Zurmi Local Government Area, engaging armed criminals and forcing their retreat. A follow-up clearance operation rescued three additional victims abandoned by the fleeing attackers. The military emphasized that these coordinated actions deny terrorists freedom of action in the North-West.

In Kogi State, troops from the 12 Brigade rescued five kidnapped victims abandoned by bandits during sustained operations in forested areas. Lt Col Francis Nwoffiah, Commanding Officer of 126 Battalion, reported that a joint ground and air operation, including helicopter strikes, targeted bandit camps in Agbede Forest. "Unable to move with all their captives, they abandoned some of them, which allowed the captives to take advantage and move away," he explained. The rescued victims are now receiving care.

Unable to move with all their captives, they abandoned some of them, which allowed the captives to take advantage and move away.

— Lt Col Francis NwoffiahCommanding Officer of 126 Battalion, Nigerian Army, describing the rescue of victims in Kogi State.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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