The Nigerian Army has rescued 10 residents from separate bandit attacks in Zamfara State during ongoing operations aimed at disrupting criminal activities and protecting civilians.
The troops foiled two kidnapping attempts after engaging the armed assailants in gun battles, forcing them to flee and abandon their victims.
It was gathered that incidents occurred on along the Tsafe–Funtua Road in Tsafe Local Government Area and at Kade Daba village in Kanoma District, Maru Local Government Area.
According to a military source on Monday, troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, first responded to gunfire around the Kwanoni axis of the Tsafe–Funtua Road, where they engaged the attackers and forced them to retreat into the surrounding terrain.
Before the troops arrived, the bandits had set fire to a commercial vehicle, although its occupants were safely evacuated.
Six people travelling in another vehicle that lost control during the attack were also rescued, while the troops secured the highway and cleared the route for motorists.
At Kade Daba, the troops responded to intelligence about an ongoing abduction and moved into the area, where they engaged the kidnappers.
The pressure from the military forced the assailants to abandon their captives and flee.
Three victims were rescued at the scene, while another was found during a subsequent search of the surrounding area, bringing the number rescued in the second operation to four.
As of the time of filing this report, the 10 rescued residents were receiving necessary care and assessment before being reunited with their families.