According to a statement from the Nigerian Army, soldiers from Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) in Zamfara State responded to a distress call of armed bandits engaging in kidnapping and robbery along the Tsafe - Gusau route between Tazame and Tabbani villages in the Bungudu LGA of Zamfara State.
According to the Army, the insurgents fled and left the abducted victims when a gunfight broke out between the forces and the bandits as they arrived on the site.
“The victims who were passengers and commuters were all rescued unhurt,” the Army said.
According to information given to the troops of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Garin Hausawa, a big number of armed bandits had been spotted in Madobiya village in Danko- Wasagu LGA of Kebbi state.
Armed bandits who had been holding the kidnapped victims hostage fled as a result, prompting the soldiers to mobilize to the village. Three kidnapped victims, however, were freed and returned to their family members.
Additionally, while on a routine patrol along the Gundumi and Marnona road, Special Forces soldiers stationed in Sokoto state came into touch with armed bandits in Gundumi Village.
One armed bandit was killed after the encounter, while the others managed to flee with gunshot wounds. One AK-47 rifle and one AK-47 magazine filled with 7.62 special ammunition were among the items found at the scene.
Major General Godwin Mutkut, the commander of the Joint Task Force Northwest OPHD, has praised the soldiers' actions.
To guarantee that no bandit enclave will be left unattended in his operational responsibility zones, Mutkut ordered them to refrain from resting until all bandit hideouts and enclaves were destroyed.
