At least seventy kidnapped victims have been freed by bandits in Zamfara State following sustained air and ground troops bombardment of Operation FANSAN YANMA.
A military officer confirmed this development to AIT News on Sunday when contacted to find out the authenticity of the recent successes of the troops at Zamfara west Senatorial District where ongoing onslaught against the bandits is being carried out.
According to the high level source from the military, on Thursday, more than 150 bandits launched an attack on villages in Bukuyum LGA, namely; Ruwan Jema, Yashi, Gasa Hula, Kurfan Danya, Rafin Maiki, Ruwa Rana, and Barikin Daji, and abducted residents.
The bandits were said to have first tried to escape with their victims after making large demands of ransom from their families.
However, when the Operation FANSAN YAMMA heard of the incident and quickly deployed troops both land and air assets to the area.
The Source said on sighting NAF aircraft, the bandits became disoriented. They abandoned their victims into the surrounding bushes and attempted to escape on motorcycles.
Six of the kidnapped victims who are women escaped that same day.
AIT News gathered that the troops continued bombardment of the area, which ultimately forced the bandits to free all the remaining hostages.
Also, a week earlier, the military launched heavy strikes on bandit camps in Gyado Forest, killing over 100 fighters, including their top commanders.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA is yet to make an official statement regarding the recent successes recorded in the ongoing fight against banditry in the Northwest States.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
