Soldiers in Katsina State have rescued no fewer than 35 victims who were kidnapped a week ago in Tashar Nagulle and Nahuta communities in the Batsari local government area.
The bandits had initially demanded a ransom payment of N60 million for their release.
The victims’ unexpected liberation by the soldiers has sparked celebrations across the area.
The chairman of Batsari local government area, Yusuf Mamman-Ifo, expressed happiness with the development, especially since all the victims are in good health.
“The success was due to prayers and the support the state governor gives us and security agents. He always encourages us to team up and work with security agents in situations like this.
“The colonel here did a good job. We will continue to provide the security agents with intelligence information,” he said.
One of the rescued victims, Maryam Nagulle, recounted her experience, stating that she was abducted alongside several others and forced to trek for about seven and a half hours to the terrorists’ camp in the forest. There, they were kept in a single room.
“We were locked in the room when we heard loud gunshots. The terrorists ran away, and the soldiers continued to shoot. We couldn’t open the room because they asked us not to. The soldiers then came and asked us to follow them,” she explained.
