SECURITY FORCES FREE EIGHT ABDUCTEES IN COORDINATED OPERATION IN KADUNA

Troops of the Nigerian Army, working alongside other security and community-based groups, have rescued eight persons abducted by suspected kidnappers during a coordinated operation in Kaduna State.

The rescue was carried out by soldiers attached to Sector 7 of Operation OPEP, in collaboration with the Zango Kataf Police Area Command, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), forest guards, and local hunters.

The operation took place at Badurum Kasa Forest in Kauru Local Government Area following actionable intelligence on the whereabouts of the kidnappers’ hideout.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development on Thursday via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, citing a security source familiar with the operation.

According to the source, the joint task force mobilised into the forest at about 4:23 p.m. on January 28 and advanced towards the suspected enclave.

Contact was made with the kidnappers at approximately 5:59 p.m., prompting the suspects to abandon their captives and flee into surrounding bushes upon sighting the troops.

All eight victims were rescued without injuries and were immediately evacuated from the forest for medical evaluation and debriefing before being reunited with their families.

The rescued individuals were identified as Mrs. Rashida Musa, Mrs. Hafsat Nuhu, Mr. Zakari Saleh, Miss Hasiya Yahaya, Mr. Ahmed Yahaya, Mr. Ibrahim Saiba, Miss Salma Yahaya, and Mr. Sophan Idris.

Meanwhile, troops have launched follow-up clearance operations in the area to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle remaining criminal networks operating within the forest.

In a related regional security development, residents of Niamey, the capital of the Republic of Niger, reported hearing gunshots and explosions near the Niamey International Airport on Thursday.

Although calm has reportedly been restored, authorities have yet to confirm the identity of those responsible or release official casualty figures, as investigations into the incident continue.