Reports

Nine kidnap victims regain freedom after terrorists reportedly fall asleep

Troops of the 17 Brigade have rescued nine kidnap victims who reportedly escaped from a terrorists’ hideout after their captors allegedly fell asleep in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The development was disclosed in a report by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security analyst covering the Lake Chad region.

According to the report, the victims were intercepted at about 8:30 am on July 15 by troops conducting a foot patrol at Anguwan Doka in Faskari Local Government Area.

Makama reported that the rescued victims comprised three women, four men and two young children.

During preliminary interrogation, the victims reportedly told troops they were abducted by suspected armed terrorists along the Tsafe–Kuchere Road in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

“They told troops that they seized the opportunity to flee after the guards at the terrorists’ enclave fell asleep, trekking until they were encountered by the patrol team,” the report stated.

The victims also identified themselves as indigenes of Kuchere village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Makama added that the military had taken the victims into protective custody pending their handover to the appropriate authorities for reunification with their families.