Troops of Joint Task Force North-West Operation HADARIN DAJI (OPHD) have foiled two kidnap attempts, rescued 17 kidnap victims and recovered 130 rustled cattle in Zamfara State.
A statement by Captain Yahaya Ibrahim on behalf of the Information Officer, OPHD, said the troops on September 14 2023 while acting on a distress call thwarted kidnap attempt, rescued two victims and the commercial vehicle carrying foodstuff along corner Jollof in Shinkafi LGA of State.
Also, ground troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Danjiba while on a routine patrol intercepted and rescued three kidnap victims on the same day.
The statement noted that preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted from their farmlands and held captive at Dangajeru forest, where they successfully escaped due to the intensified clearance operation by troops within the area.
Earlier on September 13, 2023, troops intercepted and rescued 8 kidnap victims at Baggega in Zamfara State.
The statement dded that preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were in captivity for eight weeks and were able to escape from Gando forest due to the recent offensive operation and constant fighting patrol along the fringes of the forest.
Relatedly, on September 12, 2023, troops acting on intelligence reports on movement of large numbers of rustled animals by bandits around Tsamiyar Gezozi in Anka LGA of Zamfara State rescued 130 animals.
He stated that the troops deployed at Anka following intelligence swung into action to the crossing route and engaged the bandits with superior firepower, which forced the bandits to flee and abandon over 130 rustled animals.
He said the recovered animals were handed over to the appropriate authorities to deliver to the rightful owners.
Similarly, on September 11, 2023, troops following a distress call on kidnapping of persons by armed bandits at Bunkasau village in Bukkuyum LGA of Zamfara State swiftly mobilised to the village with superior firepower forcing the bandits to abandon the victims and fled in disarray.
Consequently, the troops resuced four male victims unhurt.
He reiterated that all rescued kidnap victims were successfully reunited with their families while the recovered cattle were handed over to the Zamfara State Committee on recovered cattle to handle them to the rightful owners.
He averred that within the week covering from September 11 – 15, 2023, “a total of 2 foiled kidnapping attempts, 17 rescued victims and 130 cattle were recovered by the troops of OPHD in Zamfara state.”
The Commander Operation HADARIN DAJI (OPHD) and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Godwin Mutkut, commended the troops for the relentless efforts and commitments in rescuing the victims and charged them not to rest on their oars and to be on the offensive in order to continuously deny the criminals freedom of action.
