Nigerian Army rescues 33 kidnapped travellers in Zamfara
The Nigerian Army has rescued 33 people who were abducted by armed men while travelling through Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The Army said its troops, working alongside the police, immediately launched a rescue operation after receiving reports of the abduction on Saturday afternoon.
According to the military, the troops intercepted the kidnappers while they were moving the victims to an undisclosed location.
The abductors reportedly opened fire but fled into nearby bushes after troops engaged them.
Nigerian Army spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Aliyu Danja, said the exact destination of the kidnappers was unknown when the troops intervened.
He said the Army had commenced efforts to track down the fleeing suspects.
“The troops engaged the terrorists with effective fire, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into adjoining bushes,” Danja said.
He added that all 33 victims were rescued without casualties.
Danja urged residents in the area to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with relevant information that could assist ongoing efforts to apprehend the abductors.
Kidnapping for ransom remains a major security challenge in parts of north-western Nigeria, with highways and other major roads frequently targeted by armed groups.
Security analysts have linked the persistence of the abductions partly to ransom payments made by desperate families, intermediaries and, in some cases, government authorities.
The latest rescue comes amid a series of recent operations in which security forces have freed kidnapped victims across the country.
On Thursday, the Presidency announced that more than 300 people abducted in separate attacks had been rescued. They included 163 people abducted during a February attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kwara State, where scores of people were killed, as well as at least 145 victims taken in Niger State.
The development came weeks after 44 pupils and teachers abducted during a raid on a school in Oyo State were rescued after spending more than 50 days in captivity.
President Bola Tinubu recently announced that soldiers would receive salary increases of up to 80 per cent in recognition of their efforts in tackling Nigeria’s security challenges.
The Federal Government has continued to intensify efforts to curb banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violence involving armed groups, including Islamist militants.
However, persistent insecurity remains a major concern across the country and is expected to remain a key political issue ahead of the 2027 general elections.
