Nigerian Army troops of Sector 7, Operation OPEP, in collaboration with the Zango Kataf Police Area Command, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), Forest Guards and local hunters, have rescued eight kidnapped victims from Badurum Kasa Forest in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A security source disclosed to Zagazola that the successful operation was carried out on January 28, following actionable intelligence on the hideout of the kidnappers. Acting on the information, the joint security team mobilised at about 4:23 p.m. and advanced deep into the forest.
The source said the troops made contact with the kidnappers around 5:59 p.m., prompting the criminals to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding bushes upon sighting the advancing forces.
“All the victims were rescued unharmed and immediately evacuated from the forest,” the source said.
Those rescued were identified as Mrs Rashida Musa, Mrs Hafsat Nuhu, Mr Zakari Saleh, Miss Hasiya Yahaya, Mr Ahmed Yahaya, Mr Ibrahim Saiba, Miss Salma Yahaya and Mr Sophan Idris. They were subsequently reunited with their families after undergoing medical checks and initial debriefing.
Meanwhile, troops have commenced follow-up operations in the area to exploit the forest and track down the fleeing suspects, as security forces intensify efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks and restore safety across the region.
