Troops of Joint Task Force North-West Operation Hadarin Daji have rescued 18 kidnap victims within its area of responsibilities covering Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina and Sokoto States.
Six of the rescued victims had spent 10 weeks in kidnappers’ den in Zamfara State.
A statement by Captain Yahaya Ibrahim, on behalf of the Force Information Office, Operation Hadarin Daji, said the victims were rescued by the troops at different locations across the North-West states.
He said troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Anka LGA of Zamfara State on September 9, 2023 successfully rescued five kidnap victims after a gun duel with armed bandits along Anka-Baggega Road in the state.
He said the victims were abducted by armed bandits who blocked Anka-Baggega Road and abducted several persons in a Canter Truck while conveying goods to Baggega market in Anka LGA .
He said troops of FOB Hannutara in Zamfara State also rescued two victims who were kidnapped from their farmlands.
He said the victims were abandoned by their captors when they sighted the troops on routine and confidence building patrol approaching the farm.
In the same vein, troops acting on distress call from locals on armed banditry activities in Danfanmi village in Kaura Namoda LGA rescued three persons.
He said the troops in Birnin Magaji immediately mobilised to the villages, which led to the rescue of the victims.
Relatedly, earlier on September 8, 2023, troops of FOB Baggega in Zamfara State on a fighting patrol, intercepted and rescued six kidnap victims who escaped from their captives in Gando forest.
The statement said following preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the victims were kidnapped from Mahuta community in Kebbi state and had spent 10 weeks in captivity.
Furthermore, troops deployed at Tsafe LGA of Zamfara state rescued two females who were kidnapped at late hours when bandits invaded their community.
He said the females were immediately taken to General Hospital Tsafe for medical attention, adding that all rescued victims were handed over to the appropriate authority to reunite them with their families.
The Commander, Joint Task Force Northwest Operation HADARIN DAJI (OPHD), Major General Godwin Mutkut, who is also the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division Nigerian Army, has commended the troops for their vigour, resilience and prompt response to distress calls, which led to the rescue of the victims.
He also appreciated the collaborative efforts of the people of the North-West for providing timely information to the troops and assured the people of the troops’ commitments and dedication in providing adequate security to the people of the region.
