Joint security forces have rescued 34 kidnapped victims, neutralised one kidnapper and recovered N1.5m in Zamfara and Edo states.

While 33 victims were rescued in Zamfara State, one was rescued in Edo State. The N1.5 million intended ransom money was also recovered in Edo.

In Zamfara, Troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, in conjunction with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force rescued the 33 in Tsafe Local Government Area after they received credible information that terrorists had abducted passengers travelling through the Magazu area of Tsafe.

The Media Information Officer of OPFY, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja, said that 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.

Danja said 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. Following the rescue, troops commenced exploitation of the general area and continued efforts to track the fleeing terrorists” he said.

The Theatre Commander, Operation Fansan Yamma, commend the troops for their prompt response and professionalism, which led to the safe rescue of the passengers without any casualty, reiterating the resolve of the Theatre Command to protect innocent citizens, deny terrorists freedom of action, and safeguard major transportation routes across the North-West.

Similarly, in Edo, troops of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, in conjunction with personnel of the Nigeria Police rescued a 50-year-old man in a coordinated operation in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area.

According to the Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade, Capt. Kennedy Anyanwu, the security forces exploited ransom negotiations to lure the kidnappers to a predetermined location at Onogholo, within Esan South East Local Government Area, where they engaged the criminal elements.

*During the encounter, one of the kidnappers who arrived at the location to collect the ransom was neutralised by the troops, forcing the other members of the gang to abandon the victim and flee into the surrounding forest.”

Anyanwu said the troops subsequently rescued the victim unhurt and recovered the sum of ₦1.5 million intended as ransom payment, adding that the rescued victim was handed over to his family after preliminary debriefing and medical assessment, and was confirmed to be in stable condition.

The Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun, commended the troops for their proactiveness, courage and professionalism displayed during the operation.