Nigerian army has safely rescued 33 people after they were kidnapped by armed men while traveling through the north‑western Zamfara state.
The military, reacting to a police warning, mobilised troops in the Tsafe area on Saturday afternoon and located the kidnappers as they moved the hostages toward an unknown spot. The gunmen fled into the bush after the soldiers opened fire.
Kidnappings for ransom are common in north‑west Nigeria, and analysts say that payments by families, intermediaries or even the government have fuelled the problem.
army spokesman Lt‑Col Aliyu Danja clarified that the soldiers were still tracking the attackers after the intervention.
All 33 hostages were recovered with no casualties, and the soldiers urged the local community to remain alert and share information with security forces.
In related developments, the Nigerian security forces recently freed over 300 abductees, and on Thursday the government announced an 80% salary increase for junior soldiers as a gesture of appreciation for their efforts against the nation’s security threats. The country’s ongoing insecurity has become a pressing political issue ahead of the 2027 elections.
