Nigerian army says it safely rescued 33 people kidnapped by gunmen

The Nigerian army has announced the successful rescue of 33 individuals who had been abducted by armed assailants in the Tsafe area of Zamfara state, located in Nigeria's north-west. The army confirmed the rescue through a statement and images shared on social media.

According to the army, troops, in collaboration with the police, were mobilized on Saturday afternoon following reports of the abduction. They intercepted the kidnappers as they were relocating the hostages to an undisclosed location. The gunmen reportedly fled into nearby bushland after coming under fire from the security forces.

Lt-Col Aliyu Danja, a spokesman for the Nigerian army, stated that the exact destination of the abductors was unknown when troops intervened. He added that efforts are now underway to track down the kidnappers. Danja confirmed that "The troops engaged the terrorists with effective fire, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into adjoining bushes," and that all hostages were recovered without any casualties. He urged the public in the region to remain vigilant and report any pertinent information to security forces.

Kidnappings for ransom by armed groups are a prevalent issue in parts of north-western Nigeria, with major roads frequently targeted. Analysts suggest that ransom payments from desperate families, intermediaries, and occasionally Nigerian authorities, have inadvertently fueled these abductions.

This rescue follows a recent series of successes for Nigeria's security forces in freeing kidnapped victims. On Thursday, the country's presidency announced the rescue of over 300 people abducted in separate incidents across Nigeria. This group included 163 individuals taken during a February attack on the Woro and Nuku communities in Kwara state, which also resulted in numerous fatalities. Additionally, at least 145 others had been abducted in Niger state. Weeks prior, 44 pupils and teachers, who had been held captive for over 50 days after a raid on a school in Oyo state, were also freed.

In recognition of the efforts of those combating the nation's significant security threats, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu announced on Wednesday that soldiers would receive a pay increase of up to 80%. President Tinubu is actively working to curb widespread banditry, kidnappings, and violence from various armed groups, including Islamist militants. The ongoing insecurity across the country has emerged as a significant political concern in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.