Over 18 abducted victims have been rescued by troops of Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji, under the command of the General Officer Commanding, 8 Division Nigerian Army, in Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina and Sokoto states.

This was contained in a statement on Sunday by Captain Yahaya Ibrahim, Force Information Officer, Operation Hadarin Daji.

According to him, the successes were achieved when the troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State rescued five kidnapped victims after a gun duel with armed bandits along Anka-Baggega Road.

He said the victims were abducted by armed bandits who blocked Anka-Baggega Road and abducted several kidnapped persons in a Canter truck while conveying goods to Baggega Market in Anka LGA.

He added that the troops in Zamfara rescued two kidnapped victims from their farmlands.

In another development, the troops, acting on distress calls from locals on armed bandits’ activities in Danfanmi village in Kaura, mobilized to the villages which led to the rescue of three victims.

“On 8 September 2023, troops of FOB Baggega in Zamfara State, while on a fighting patrol, intercepted and rescued six kidnapped victims who escaped from their captives in Gando forest.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were kidnapped from Mahuta community in Kebbi State and had spent 10 weeks in captivity,” the statement added.

It further added that troops deployed at Tsafe LGA of Zamfara rescued two females who were kidnapped in the late hours when bandits invaded their community.

The Commander Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD), Major General Godwin Mutkuta commended the troops for their vigor, resilience and prompt response to distress calls which led to the rescue of the victims.