Nigerian troops have successfully freed 62 hostages and killed two armed militants during coordinated operations in Kebbi and Zamfara states, the army confirmed on Wednesday. The missions are part of an ongoing offensive aimed at tackling banditry and militant activity in northwest Nigeria.
Operations Against Armed Gangs
Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, the army spokesperson, stated that troops stormed a known bandit hideout in Zamfara after intelligence indicated that captives were being held there. All 62 hostages were rescued unharmed and are currently in army custody, with arrangements underway to reunite them with their families.
In a separate operation, soldiers ambushed militants from the Lakurawa group near the border between Kebbi’s Augie district and Sokoto state. The troops successfully neutralised two militants and disrupted the group’s activities, according to Osoba.
Surge in Kidnappings in the Northwest
The northwest region of Nigeria has witnessed a rise in mass kidnappings and attacks by armed gangs operating from forest hideouts. These groups frequently target villages, schools, and places of worship, including a recent January 18 abduction of over 160 worshippers from two churches in Kaduna.
The Nigerian army emphasized that the operations in Kebbi and Zamfara are part of broader efforts to dismantle the armed networks responsible for widespread insecurity across the region.
International Attention
The security situation in northwest Nigeria has drawn international scrutiny, including criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused Nigerian authorities of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militants. U.S. forces carried out strikes against Islamic State targets in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, prompting Nigeria to clarify that its counterinsurgency efforts target armed groups affecting both Christian and Muslim civilians, rather than any specific religious community.
The Nigerian military reaffirmed its commitment to restoring security, rescuing victims, and neutralising armed groups in the northwest, signaling a continued push against kidnappings and banditry.
Source: Africa Publicity
