In Katsina State, soldiers successfully rescued 35 individuals from terrorist camps near Batsari Local Government Area on Sunday. Among the rescued, 31 had been kidnapped a week earlier in Tashar Nagulle, with the terrorists demanding a ransom of N60 million.
The remaining four victims had been abducted at various times. The sight of soldiers emerging from the outer forest connecting to Rugu forest brought joy to the residents of local communities in western Batsari.
“We are happy with the development. You have seen them yourself; they are in good health,” the Chairman of Batsari Local Government, Yusuf Mamman – Ifo, said.
“The success was due to prayers and the support the state governor gives us and security agents. He always encourages us to team up and work with security agents in situations like this,” he said.
Mr Mamman – Ifo commended soldiers attached to the military formation in the area for rescuing the victims.
“The colonel here did a good job. We will continue to provide the security agents with intelligence information,” he said.
One of the rescued victims, Maryam Nagulle, said she was abducted with several others in their community a week ago.
The married woman said they trekked for about seven and a half hours before reaching the terrorists’ camp in the forest where the abductees were kept in a single room.
“We were locked in the room they kept us when we heard loud gunshots. The terrorists ran away while the soldiers continued to shoot. We couldn’t open the room because they asked us not to. The soldiers then came and asked us to follow them,” she said.
The soldiers involved in the operation said they would not speak to journalists.
The spokesperson of the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Oliza Ethinlaiye, did not respond to an SMS sent to her.
