Sixty-two people abducted by armed bandits in north-west Nigeria have regained their freedom following a decisive air raid by the Nigerian Air Force on the kidnappers’ camp, officials have confirmed.
The airstrike, carried out on Saturday evening, targeted the stronghold of a notorious bandit leader, Muhammadu Fulani, located in Jigawa Sawai, Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, near the border with Zamfara.
According to Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, the bombardment forced the bandits to abandon their hideout in confusion, creating a window for their captives to escape.
Of the freed victims, twelve are currently receiving medical treatment at Matazu General Hospital, while sixteen others have been temporarily accommodated at an army forward operating base in Kaiga Malamai. Survivors recounted that the chaos during the raid enabled them to flee in different directions, away from their abductors.
Most of the victims had been kidnapped on 11 August during a night assault on Sayaya village in Matazu. Fulani’s group has been linked to repeated attacks in Katsina and neighboring Kano State.
Dr. Mu’azu revealed that an Air Force quick response unit has now been deployed to Matazu and Bakori Local Government Areas to strengthen security and prevent further raids. “Troops are closely monitoring the situation for additional rescue missions. The overall security atmosphere in the affected areas is currently stable,” he stated.
He further assured that the rescued individuals would be reunited with their families once they completed medical evaluations.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda lauded the “gallant efforts” of the security operatives, reaffirming his government’s determination to stamp out banditry and restore peace across the state.
