Troops of the Nigerian Army under Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have conducted two successful rescue operations in Kebbi State, freeing 11 kidnapped victims from the clutches of armed bandits. The operations took place on October 30 and 31 in the Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area. According to the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Lt.-Col. Osoba Olaniyi, the troops responded to distress calls reporting armed attacks and abductions in local communities.
The first operation followed a report that armed bandits had blocked a road leading to Ribah town and attempted to gain entry into the community. Troops deployed to the location discovered that an unspecified number of civilians had been abducted, while some motorcycles were abandoned at the scene. The soldiers immediately pursued the fleeing attackers, leading to an exchange of gunfire that forced the bandits to abandon seven kidnapped victims.
The rescued persons from the first operation were identified as Sa’adu Bala, Dantani Yahyi, Nura Musa, Nasiru Muhammad, Abdulakeem Abubakar, Abdulahi Maikudi, and Zaki Gom. They were subsequently reunited with their families. The successful rescue operation demonstrates the military's commitment to protecting lives and property in the region.
In the second encounter, troops conducting a patrol in the Wasagu area came under attack from terrorists. The soldiers responded to the gunfire, forcing the attackers to retreat and abandon four people who had earlier been kidnapped from their farms in Wasagu village. The rescued victims were identified as Lawali Ali, Samaila Shuaibu, Kasimu Shuaibu, and Aliyu Bala.
According to the Army spokesperson, all four victims from the second operation were handed over to the community head following their rescue. The two operations bring the total number of kidnapped persons rescued by the troops in Danko-Wasagu to 11. The military's efforts aim to sustain counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations in the region.
The latest rescue operations come amid persistent security concerns in parts of north-western Nigeria, where armed groups have carried out attacks, kidnappings, and other criminal activities, disrupting farming, trade, and movement in rural communities. The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across communities within its area of responsibility.
Lt.-Col. Olaniyi assured residents that troops would continue to respond promptly to security threats and sustain their counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations. The military's efforts aim to bring relief to communities affected by banditry and terrorism in the region.
Key points
- 11 kidnapped victims were rescued in two separate operations in Kebbi State's Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.
- The Nigerian Army conducted the operations on October 30 and 31, responding to distress calls reporting armed attacks and abductions.
- The rescued victims were reunited with their families and handed over to community heads, demonstrating the military's commitment to protecting lives and property.
