By Stephen Simon
Nigerian troops have rescued 13 kidnapped victims during a series of coordinated operations against armed bandits in Zamfara State, as the military intensified efforts to restore security across the North-West. The operations, carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, also disrupted criminal hideouts and forced several bandits to flee.
Military authorities said the rescue followed intelligence-led offensives conducted in parts of Maru and Tsafe Local Government Areas, where troops engaged the criminals in fierce gun battles before successfully freeing the captives. The victims, who had spent days in captivity, were rescued unharmed and have since been reunited with their families after receiving preliminary medical attention.
According to the military, the operations formed part of the ongoing campaign to dismantle terrorist and bandit networks operating within Zamfara and neighbouring states. Troops reportedly recovered weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and other logistics abandoned by the fleeing criminals during the encounter.
The Defence Headquarters noted that sustained military pressure has continued to weaken the operational capacity of criminal groups responsible for kidnappings, cattle rustling and attacks on rural communities. It added that several suspected bandits were neutralised during the operations, while others escaped with varying degrees of injuries.
Residents of the affected communities commended the swift intervention of the security forces, describing the rescue as a major relief following weeks of fear caused by repeated attacks and abductions. They, however, appealed for the deployment of more troops to prevent the criminals from regrouping and launching fresh attacks.
Security analysts have also urged the authorities to complement ongoing military operations with improved intelligence gathering, stronger border surveillance and closer collaboration with local communities to sustain the gains recorded against armed groups in the region.
The rescue of the 13 victims represents another boost to the military’s counter-banditry campaign in the North-West, where security forces have stepped up offensive operations in recent months in a bid to curb kidnapping and restore confidence among residents.
