Thirty-three kidnapped travelers from Zamfara are now released and safe

n n

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 33 passengers abducted by terrorists in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

n

PUNCH Metro learnt that the rescue operation followed information received by the troops on Saturday about the abduction of commuters travelling through the Magazu area of Tsafe.

n

The development comes after another rescue operation in July by the state police command, which resulted in the rescue of at least 11 travellers abducted during a bandit attack along the Gummi–Sokoto Road.

n

The victims were reportedly ambushed while travelling in a trailer conveying vegetables and passengers, with the gunmen opening fire on the vehicle and causing the driver to lose control and veer off the road.

n

In a statement announcing the latest operation, the Media Information Officer of JTF North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, said on Sunday that troops of Sector 2, in conjunction with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force deployed in Tsafe, acted swiftly after receiving information about the abduction on Saturday.

n

The statement read, “Acting promptly, the troops mobilised to the location and made contact with the terrorists, who were already moving the abducted passengers to an unknown destination.

n

“The troops engaged the terrorists with effective fire, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into adjoining bushes. The troops then secured and rescued all 33 abducted persons.

n

He added that the troops subsequently commenced exploitation of the area and continued efforts to track the fleeing terrorists.

n

Danja disclosed that the operation was carried out without any casualties.

n

“He reiterated the resolve of the Theatre Command to protect innocent citizens, deny terrorists freedom of action, and safeguard major transportation routes across the North-West,” he said.

n n