Troops Free Abducted Residents in Kano Community
Security forces under Operation MESA have successfully freed several residents abducted from a community in Kano State following a deadly raid by armed bandits, military sources confirmed Monday.
The rescue mission followed an assault on Lakwaya town in Gwarzo Local Government Area, where unidentified gunmen stormed the community late Sunday, seizing multiple inhabitants and reigniting fears among locals already on edge due to a recent spate of criminal violence in the region.
According to a statement from military officials, troops of the 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, operating with support from the Nigerian Air Force and Nigeria Police Force, engaged in coordinated action that culminated in the release of three of the captives.
The joint task force moved swiftly following credible indications of the victims’ whereabouts, closing in on the kidnappers’ route and confronting them to secure the hostages’ freedom.
Details regarding the fate or recovery of the remaining abducted residents are still emerging, and security agencies say operations are continuing as they intensify efforts to locate and liberate any others still held by the attackers.
Authorities have not yet disclosed whether any ransom negotiations preceded the rescue, nor have they released the identities of the freed individuals.
This latest incident comes amid a resurgence of violent abductions in parts of Kano State, with communities in rural areas frequently targeted by armed gangs employing motorcycles and small arms to instill terror. Residents have reported heightened anxiety as attacks have left families displaced, and livelihoods are disrupted.
Military spokesmen have urged citizens to provide actionable intelligence and cooperate with security deployments, emphasizing that community support is vital to thwarting further kidnappings. They reaffirmed the armed forces’ commitment to safeguarding lives and restoring stability throughout the North West region.
State and local governments are expected to hold emergency security meetings later this week to reassess protective measures and bolster coordination with national forces in the fight against banditry and organized crime.
