Troops of Operation MESA of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Brigade, Bukavo Barracks Kano have rescued a kidnapped victim Alh. Kabiru Aliyu and recovered N10 million ransom.

The troops rescued the victim in Falgore Forest in Doguwa local government area of the state while the abductors were invited to collect the ransom from the family of the abductors.

In an operation carried out in collaboration with other security agencies led to the killing of two kidnappers and rescued Aliyu.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 3 Brigade, Major Babatunde Zubairu, disclosed that the victim was kidnapped October 11, 2026 at Fanyabo village in Falgore Forest at about midnight while returning from Yandoka Market in neighbouring Kaduna State.

According to the statement, the abductors subsequently contacted Aliyu’s family in Yan Taburmi Village, demanding an undisclosed ransom for his release.

Zubairu explained that troops of the Brigade, acting on credible intelligence, collaborated with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and local hunters to launch a coordinated operation against the kidnappers.

He said the joint security team mounted an ambush along the suspected kidnappers’ route, leading to an encounter in which two members of the criminal gang were killed.

The military spokesperson disclosed that the operation also resulted in the successful rescue of the victim, while other suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate escaped into the adjoining Falgore Forest.

He added that a subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of N10 million reportedly paid by the victim’s family to secure his freedom. The Army confirmed that the recovered ransom had since been handed over to the rescued victim and his family.

Meanwhile, the Commander of 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Saka Jimoh, has commended the troops and other security personnel involved in the operation for their courage, vigilance and professionalism.

Jimoh described the successful rescue and recovery of the ransom as a demonstration of the military’s determination to confront kidnapping and other criminal activities threatening peace and security in Kano State.

The Brigade Commander reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to sustaining operational pressure on criminal elements, particularly those operating within the Falgore Forest axis and surrounding communities.

He further assured residents that the Brigade would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to prevent security breaches and protect lives and property.

Jimoh, however, urged members of the public to support ongoing security operations by providing credible and timely intelligence on suspicious movements and criminal activities within their communities.

He stressed that effective cooperation between residents and security agencies remained essential to tackling kidnapping and other security challenges across the state.