Nigerian troops say they intercepted kidnappers in the Tsafe area of Zamfara State and safely rescued 33 people after the gunmen fled into nearby bush. The army reported no casualties among the freed hostages and said forces are trying to track the fleeing abductors. The rescue is one of several recent operations that freed more than 300 people nationwide, and comes as President Bola Tinubu announces pay rises for soldiers amid rising insecurity ahead of the 2027 elections.
Nigerian Army Says Troops Rescue 33 Kidnapping Victims After Intercepting Gunmen in Zamfara
The Nigerian army released images on social media alongside a statement confirming the rescue [HQ Nigerian Army / Facebook]
Nigeria's military says it has safely freed 33 people who were abducted by armed men while travelling through the north-western Tsafe area of Zamfara State. The army reported that troops, acting alongside police, intercepted the kidnappers as they moved the hostages and that the gunmen fled into nearby bush after coming under fire.
Operation Details
According to the Nigerian Army, troops were mobilised immediately after receiving reports of the abduction on Saturday afternoon. Forces located the kidnappers while they were transporting the victims to an unknown location; under effective fire, the assailants abandoned the hostages and escaped into adjoining bushes. The military confirmed all 33 people were recovered without injury.
The Nigerian army said all of the hostages were rescued without any casualties [HQ Nigerian Army / Facebook]
The troops engaged the terrorists with effective fire, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into adjoining bushes.
Wider Context
Kidnappings for ransom by organised armed groups remain common in parts of north-west Nigeria, with major roads frequently targeted. Analysts say ransom payments by desperate families, intermediaries and, in some cases, officials have fuelled the rise in abductions. The army says security forces are now working to track the fleeing kidnappers.
Related Rescues and Government Response
Security forces have reported a series of recent successful rescue operations. The presidency recently announced that more than 300 people abducted in separate attacks across the country have been freed, including 163 people taken during an attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kwara State and at least 145 taken in Niger State. Weeks earlier, 44 pupils and teachers seized in a raid on a school in Oyo State were released after more than 50 days in captivity.
[BBC]
President Bola Tinubu has announced pay increases of up to 80% for soldiers as part of efforts to boost morale among those confronting the country's severe security threats. The continuing insecurity, including banditry and militant violence, is a major national concern ahead of the 2027 elections.
Lt-Col Aliyu Danja of the Nigerian Army urged residents in the region to remain vigilant and to share relevant information with security agencies to help prevent further attacks.
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