Troops Rescue 9 Kidnap Victims After Fierce Gun Battle in Zamfara

In a major breakthrough against insecurity, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY) have successfully rescued nine kidnapped victims, including women and children, during an ambush on terrorists in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The rescue, confirmed by Captain David Adewusi, OPFY’s Media Information Officer, took place after security forces received credible intelligence about the movement of the kidnappers along the Isa–Shinkafi–Kaura Namoda road.

According to Adewusi, the terrorists attempted to use their captives as human shields during the encounter, but the troops overpowered them in a decisive gun battle. Several terrorists were neutralized, while others fled with gunshot wounds.

The freed victims, identified as three women and six children, were originally abducted from Garin Bature village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State. After the rescue, they were taken to General Hospital Shinkafi for medical checks before being handed over to local officials for reunification with their families.

At the scene, soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle with two magazines, 20 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle, three mobile phones, and a desert camouflage uniform, further weakening the terrorists’ capacity.

OPFY reassured residents of the North-West and parts of North-Central Nigeria that it remains committed to intensifying operations until terrorism and banditry are fully eradicated. The military also urged citizens to continue sharing credible information that could aid security efforts.

This rescue operation adds to the series of successful interventions by Nigerian troops in the ongoing fight against insurgency and criminal networks threatening peace in the region.