FAMILY members breathed a collective sigh of relief as 13 kidnap victims were rescued and reunited with their loved ones following a successful military operation in northwest Nigeria’s Kaduna state.
According to a report by Reuters, Nigerian troops launched the rescue mission after receiving intelligence that the kidnappers were planning to relocate their captives. The operation targeted a camp near Chigulu village in the Kachia local government area of Kaduna.
Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna’s security commissioner, stated that a gun battle ensued, forcing the bandits to flee into the surrounding forest and abandon their hostages. The freed captives, comprising six men and seven women, were promptly taken to a military facility for medical assessment and debriefing before being reunited with their anxious families.
The successful rescue operation not only freed the hostages but also led to the discovery of weapons, ammunition, solar panels, and cash at the kidnappers’ camp.
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of kidnappings in northern Nigeria, where criminal gangs frequently target schools and highways in search of ransom payments. These abductions often place immense financial strain on families, forcing them to sell land, cattle, and grain to secure the release of their loved ones.
The successful rescue operation brings hope to many in the region, demonstrating the Nigerian military’s commitment to combating this pervasive threat to public safety.
