33 kidnapped passengers in Zamfara freed by troops

Troops from the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 33 people who were kidnapped by terrorists in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the rescue happened after the troops got information on Saturday about the kidnapping of commuters in the Magazu area of Tsafe.

This rescue comes after another operation in July by the state police that freed at least 11 travelers taken during a bandit attack along Gummi, Sokoto Road.

The victims were ambushed while they were in a trailer carrying vegetables and passengers. The gunmen shot at the vehicle, making the driver lose control and crash off the road.

In a statement about the latest rescue, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, the Media Information Officer of JTF North-West, said on Sunday that Sector 2 troops, along with officers from the Nigeria Police Force in Tsafe, acted quickly after receiving details about the kidnapping on Saturday.

The statement said, “Acting promptly, the troops mobilised to the location and made contact with the terrorists, who were already moving the abducted passengers to an unknown destination.

“The troops engaged the terrorists with effective fire, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into adjoining bushes. The troops then secured and rescued all 33 abducted persons.

Danja also mentioned that the troops started searching the area and continued efforts to track the fleeing terrorists.

He noted that the operation was completed without any casualties.

“He reiterated the Theatre Command's commitment to protect innocent citizens, restrict terrorists' movements, and ensure safety on major transportation routes in the North-West,” he added.