Nigerian army rescues 33 people abducted by gunmen in northwest region

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerian troops successfully rescued 33 people who were abducted by gunmen while traveling in Zamfara state, located in the northwestern region of the country, according to an army statement released on Sunday. The rescue operation took place on Saturday when unidentified gunmen kidnapped the group as they journeyed through the Tsafe area of Zamfara.

A military spokesman, Aliyu Danja, revealed that the troops engaged the attackers with effective fire, compelling them to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding bushes. The rescued individuals were subsequently secured and returned to safety. Danja did not disclose the identity of the group responsible for the attack.

Zamfara has experienced a rise in killings and abductions in recent months, with at least 32 people losing their lives in separate incidents in June alone. The security challenges in Nigeria, including an insurgency in the northeast, have persisted despite President Bola Tinubu's promises to address the crisis.