No fewer than eight farmers kidnapped on April 12, 2026 near Kankomi village in Kaduna State have regained their freedom.

Counter-insurgency expert and security analyst, Zagazola Makama, reports that the abducted farmers were released on May 6 from a terrorist camp in Rijana Forest and reached a military forward base the next day.

The victims were thereafter handed to local authorities in Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) after weeks in captivity, highlighting persistent banditry and kidnapping for ransom targeting rural farmlands in Kaduna State.

“Security sources said the victims arrived at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Tantatu in Kajuru Local Government Area at about 9:00 a.m. on May 7,” Makama explained.

The security analyst quoted the sources as disclosing that the victims were among persons abducted on April 12 from farmlands near Kankomi village.

According to preliminary investigations, the victims were released from a terrorist camp located within Rijana Forest on May 6 before making their way to the troops’ location.

“The sources said the victims were subsequently handed over to local authorities in Chikun Local Government Area for further care and necessary assistance,” Makama said.

He added that security agencies said efforts were ongoing to intensify operations against criminal groups operating within forests and rural communities across Kaduna State.