Dozens Freed In Operation Against Terrorists In Nigeria’s Zamfara State
The 27 abducted people regained their freedom in an operation by security forces and local vigilantes.
Security forces and local militias have freed 27 people held captive in the forests of Nigeria’s volatile Northwestern State of Zamfara, according to the local police.
The victims were mostly from Akawo, Gwashi, Tungar Rogo and Anka Villages, Police Public Relations Officer in Zamfara, Mohammed Shehu, said.
They were taken from their villages to camps at Gando, Bagega and Sunke forests in Bukkuyum and Anka Local Government Areas.
The operations which led to their release involved the local vigilante group in Anka, the Army, and Police moving into the terror group’s enclave at the Gando forest on Friday, Oct 21.
“At the moment, 17 out of 27 were safely brought to the Police Command Headquarters. 10 other victims are in the hospital receiving medical attention following the trauma they passed through while in 3 weeks of captivity,” said the police spokesperson.
A relative of a victim abducted in Birnin Magaji, Malam Samaila Garba tells HumAngle, he is concerned about the authorities refusal to as yet confirm the identities of thos freed. “We want to know if our loved ones are among the rescued victims,” he said.
Ten women, including a year old baby, also regained freedom from terrorists in Anka Local Government Area (LGA) on Friday, Oct. 21.
The women, mostly nursing mothers, were earlier abducted on Monday, Oct. 17, by a terror group who invaded Manya village in Anka LGA.
Zamfara is one of the worst affected states in northwestern Nigeria, battling violent attacks on communities and widespread kidnapping for ransom. The violence has also spread to parts of the neighbouring north-central region.
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