Troops of the Joint Task Force Northwest Operation, HADARIN DAJI has again rescued more than 18 kidnapped victims in Kebbi and Zamfara States, Northwest Nigeria.
A Statement by the OPHD Force Information Officer, Captain Yahaya Ibrahim said the successes were achieved on 9th September 2023 when the troops deployed at Forward Operating Base, FOB, in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara state successfully rescued 5 kidnapped victims after a gun duel with armed bandits along Anka – Baggega Road in the troubled State.
It says the victims were abducted by armed bandits who blocked Anka – Baggega Road and abducted several kidnapped persons in a Canter Truck while conveying goods to Baggega Market in Anka LGA.
Similarly, Troops of FOB Hannutara in Zamfara state rescued 2 victims who were kidnapped from their farmlands.
They were abandoned by their captors when they sighted the troops on routine and confidence-building patrol while approaching the farm.
Also acting on distress calls from locals on armed bandits’ kidnapping activities in Danfanmi village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of the State, troops of OPHD in Birnin Magaji LGA immediately mobilized to the villages which led to the rescue of 3 victims.
In another development, on 8th September 2023, troops of Forward Operating Base, FOB, at 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 the Mahuta community in Kebbi State Northwest Nigeria, and have spent ten weeks in captivity.
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Furthermore, troops deployed at Tsafe LGA of Zamfara state rescued 2 females who were kidnapped in the late hours when bandits invaded their community. The females were immediately taken to General Hospital Tsafe for medical attention.
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 of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, has continued to commend the troops for their vigor, resilience, and prompt response to distress calls which led to the rescue of the victims.
General Mutkut also appreciated the collaborative efforts of the people of the Northwest for providing timely information to the Troops even as he assured the people of the troop’s commitment and dedication to providing adequate security to the region.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
