Nigerian Army Rescues 33 Passengers Kidnapped By Gunmen In Zamfara

The Nigerian Army has rescued 33 passengers who were kidnapped by gunmen while travelling through Zamfara State.

The victims were rescued by troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.

The rescue followed information received by the troops on Saturday that commuters had been abducted around the Magazu area of Tsafe.

In a statement, the Media Information Officer of the JTF North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, said troops from Sector 2, working with police officers stationed in Tsafe, immediately moved to the area after receiving the report.

The statement read, “Acting promptly, the troops mobilised to the location and made contact with the terrorists, who were already moving the abducted passengers to an unknown destination.

“The troops engaged the terrorists with effective fire, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into adjoining bushes. The troops then secured and rescued all 33 abducted persons.”

Danja said following the operation, the soldiers began searching the surrounding area and continued efforts to locate the fleeing kidnappers.

The army spokesman said no casualties were recorded during the operation.

“He reiterated the resolve of the Theatre Command to protect innocent citizens, deny terrorists freedom of action, and safeguard major transportation routes across the North-West,” he said.

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