Troops from the Joint Task Force in the Northwest zone, Operation Hadarin Daji, have freed 18 abducted victims in Zamfara State’s Bukkuyum Local Government Area.
Captain Yahaya Ibrahim, the operation’s spokesman, gave a press statement to journalists in Gusau, the state capital.
He stated that on September 9, forces stationed at the Forward Operating Base, FOB, in the state’s Anka Local Government Area rescued the casualties during a gun battle with armed bandits along the Anka-Baggega route.
He claimed the victims were taken from a Canter truck transporting products to Anka’s Baggega market.
The forces of FOB Hannutara also rescued two other victims who had been kidnapped from their farmlands, claiming that they had been abandoned by their kidnappers when they spotted the troops on regular and confidence-building patrol approaching the area.
“In same vein, acting on distress call from locals on armed bandits’ kidnapping activities in Danfanmi village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, troops of OPHD in Birnin Magaji immediately mobilized to the villages which led to the rescue of three victims.
“On 8 September 2023, troops of FOB Baggega in Zamfara State while on a fighting patrol intercepted and rescued six kidnapped victims who escaped from their captives in Gando forest. Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were kidnapped from Mahuta community in Kebbi State and have spent ten weeks in captivity.
“Military troops deployed at Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State rescued two females who were kidnapped at late hours when bandits invaded their community. The females were immediately taken to General Hospital Tsafe for medical attention.
“All rescued victims were handed over to the appropriate authority to reunite them with their families,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the Commander, Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji, OPHD, Major General Godwin Mutkut, who also is the General Officer Commanding, GOC 8 Division Nigerian Army has continued to commend the troops for their vigor.
He encouraged them on their resilient and prompt response to distress call which led to the rescue of the victims, stressing that he
appreciated the collaborative efforts of the people of the Northwest for providing timely information to the troops.
General Mutkut assured the people of the troops commitments and dedication in providing adequate security to the people of the region.