Troops of the Joint Task Force Northwest Operation HADARIN DAJI, have rescued 18 kidnap victims in its Areas of Responsibility (AORs) covering Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina and Sokoto States.
The Force Information Officer, Operation HADARIN DAJI, Capt. Yahaya Ibrahim, made this known in a statement made available to the press on Sunday, 10 September, 2023.
TheFact Daily reports that on 8 September 2023, troops of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Baggega in Zamfara State, while on a fighting patrol intercepted and rescued 6 kidnapped victims who escaped from their captives in Gando forest.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were kidnapped from Mahuta community in Kebbi State and had spent ten weeks in captivity.
Furthermore, troops deployed at Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State rescued 2 females who were kidnapped at late hours when bandits invaded their community. The rescued females were immediately taken to General Hospital Tsafe for medical attention.
Similarly, on 9th September 2023, troops deployed at FOB in Anka LGA of Zamfara State successfully rescued 5 kidnapped victims after engaging in a gun duel with armed bandits along Anka – Baggega Road.
The victims were reportedly conveying goods in a Canter Truck to Baggega market in Anka LGA, when they were abducted by armed bandits who blocked the Anka – Baggega Road.
In the same vein, troops of FOB Hannutara in Zamfara State rescued 2 victims who were kidnapped from their farm lands. They were abandoned by their captors when they sighted the troops on routine and confidence building patrol approaching the farm.
Also, acting on a distress call from locals on kidnapping activities of armed bandits in Danfanmi village in Kaura Namoda LGA, troops of OPHD in Birnin Magaji immediately mobilized to the villages which led to the rescue of 3 victims.
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 also is the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division Nigerian Army, while commending the troops for their vigor, resilience and prompt response to distress calls which led to the rescue of the victims, also appreciated the collaborative efforts of the people of the Northwest for providing timely information to the Troops.
He assured the people of the commitment and dedication of troops in providing adequate security to the people of the region.
