Troops rescue 23 kidnap victims, foil kidnap attempt in Zamfara

Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have rescued 23 kidnapped persons and foiled another kidnap attempt by terrorists during counter-terrorism operations in Zamfara State.

The operations were carried out in Anka and Bungudu Local Government Areas of the state.

The Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Col. Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement.

He said troops conducting a combat patrol on the outskirts of Wuya Town in Anka LGA encountered a group of terrorists and successfully secured the release of the 23 victims.

According to him, the rescued victims comprised three adult males and 20 females.

Danja said preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were abducted by the terrorists from Gummi LGA and held captive for about three weeks before they were rescued.

He added that the victims were currently receiving medical attention and other necessary support before being reunited with their families.

In a separate operation in Bungudu LGA, the troops acted on credible intelligence that armed bandits had stormed Dankurmi Town with the intention of abducting residents.

The statement said the troops quickly mobilised to the area and engaged the attackers in a heavy firefight.

It said the troops, using superior firepower, overpowered the terrorists, forcing them to flee without abducting any resident.

The Army said bloodstains discovered along the terrorists’ withdrawal route indicated that several of the attackers may have sustained serious gunshot wounds during the encounter.

The troops have maintained a strong presence in the affected areas and are continuing operations to pursue the fleeing terrorists while strengthening security along critical routes and communities across the state.