33 abducted Zamfara passengers regain freedom

Troops from the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have successfully rescued 33 passengers who were abducted by terrorist group members in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The rescue effort came after troops were alerted on Saturday about the abduction of commuters traveling through the Magazu area of Tsafe.

This incident follows a previous rescue operation in July by the state police command, which freed at least 11 travelers who were abducted during a bandit attack on the Gummi–Sokoto Road.

According to a statement from Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, Media Information Officer for JTF North-West, the troops swiftly responded to the information received on Saturday. They collaborated with personnel from the Nigeria Police Force stationed in Tsafe and quickly engaged the terrorists near the Magazu area. The troops communicated with the abductors, who were in the process of moving the victims to an unknown location.

In an effective firefight, the soldiers compelled the terrorists to abandon the abducted passengers and flee into the surrounding forested areas.

Once the scene was secured, the troops conducted a rescue operation and successfully freed all 33 individuals. Lt. Col. Danja emphasized that the operation was carried out without any casualties, and he reaffirmed the Theatre Command's commitment to protecting innocent citizens, thwarting terrorist actions, and ensuring the safety of crucial transportation routes across the North-West region.