Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have rescued 11 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Ribah town and the Wasagu-Falfala general area of the Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
In a statement on Sunday, the acting spokesperson for the operation, Tamuno Sinivie, said the rescue operations were conducted on Saturday following a distress call about suspected terrorists who had blocked the Ribah-Dirindaji road while attempting to invade Ribah town.
“On arrival at the scene, the troops discovered that the terrorists had fled with seven persons. The troops subsequently mounted an aggressive pursuit of the fleeing terrorists towards Rambo village, forcing the assailants to release the victims under sustained pressure,” he said.
The rescued victims were identified as Sa’adu Bala, 53; Nura Musa, 25; Dantami Yahyi, 57; and Nasiru Muhammad, 21.
Others were Abdulakeem Abubakar, 23; Abdulahi Maikudi, 32; and Zaki Gambo, 56.
Mr Sinivie said the victims, all indigenes of Ribah town, had been reunited with their families.
He added that troops, while conducting a routine patrol in the Wasagu-Falfala general area to safeguard residents and deny terrorists freedom of action, came under fire from terrorists who had laid an ambush along their route.
“The troops responded swiftly and fought through the ambush with superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to flee in disarray,” he said.
He added that during a subsequent search of the area, the troops discovered four kidnap victims abandoned by the terrorists amid the exchange of fire.
The rescued persons were identified as Lawali Ali, 20; Samaila Shaibu, 14; Kasimu Shaibu, 20; and Aliyu Bala, 18.
Mr Sinivie said the victims, who are residents of Wasagu village, had been handed over to the village head.