In Zamfara State, 17 kidnapped victims have been freed by Joint Task Force Northwest Operation HADARIN DAJI personnel.
In a statement on Friday, September 15, 2023, Captain Yahaya Ibrahim, Force Information Officer for Operation HADARIN DAJI, revealed that the victims were saved by the troops during various operations throughout the week.
“Joint Task Force Northwest Operation HADARIN DAJI troops have continued to achieve more victories through increased combat and offensive patrols in its Areas of Responsibilities.
During the ongoing operation in Zamfara state, kidnapping attempts were thwarted, 17 victims who had been abducted were freed, and a large number of stolen cattle were found.
These were recently accomplished on September 14, 2023, when the Joint Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI (OPHD) in Zamfara State responded to a distress call and stopped a kidnapping attempt while rescuing two victims and a commercial vehicle carrying food along Jollof in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State.
“In a similar manner, ground forces stationed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Danjigba, while on a routine patrol, intercepted and freed 3 abducted victims.
According to a preliminary investigation, the victims were kidnapped from their farms and held captive in the Dangajeru forest, where they managed to escape thanks to the troops’ intensified clearance operation.
“In another development, on September 13, 2023, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI in Zamfara state stopped and freed 8 abducted victims at Baggega.
The victims were discovered to have been held captive for eight weeks when they managed to flee the Gando forest because of the recent offensive operation and ongoing fighting patrol along the forest’s edges.
“Similarly, on September 12, 2023, acting on intelligence reports on the movement of numerous rustled animals by bandits near Tsamiyar Gezozi in Anka LGA of Zamfara state.
Anka-deployed Operation HADARIN DAJI (OPHD) troops sprang into action at the crossing route, engaging the bandits with superior fire, forcing them to flee and abandoning over 130 rustled animals.
Recovered animals were given to the proper authority so they could be returned to their rightful owners.
“Relatedly, on September 11, 2023, in response to a distress call regarding kidnappings by armed bandits at Bunkasau village in Bukkuyum LGA of Zamfara state.
Armed with superior firepower, troops arrived at the village quickly, forcing the bandits to flee in disarray while abandoning their victims.
This led to the unharmed rescue of 4 male victims.
“All of the kidnapped victims were successfully returned to their families after being rescued, and the cattle that had been found had been abandoned had been given to the Zamfara state committee on recovered cattle so that they could be handled by their rightful owners.
It is important to note that the OPHD troops in Zamfara state foiled 2 kidnapping attempts during the week of September 11–15, 2023, rescued 17 victims, and recovered 130 cattle.
“The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division Nigerian Army and the Commander of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD), Major General Godwin Mutkut, have praised the troops for their steadfast efforts and dedication in rescuing the victims.
In order to consistently deny the criminals’ freedom of action, he ordered the troops to keep moving forward and not to take a break.
“General Mutkut gave the populace assurances regarding the troop’s ongoing vigilance and patrols in its Areas of Responsibility.
He further urged the populace to continue giving the troops timely information.
