Nigerian troops have rescued 41 travellers abducted by bandits after their vehicle broke down along a highway in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The travellers, comprising 24 males, 10 females and seven children, were reportedly travelling from Senegal to Kano when the vehicle developed a mechanical fault, giving the bandits an opportunity to attack and abduct them.
In a statement made available to The News Chronicle on Tuesday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force Northwest, Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said the bandits seized the opportunity to attack the vehicle and attempted to force the passengers into the surrounding area.
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He said troops, acting on actionable intelligence, swiftly moved to the scene and engaged the attackers with superior firepower.
“Faced with the troops’ response, the bandits abandoned the victims and fled into nearby farmlands,” the statement said.
The troops subsequently rescued all 41 travellers, comprising 24 males, 10 females and seven children, without injuries.
The victims are currently receiving necessary support and are expected to be reunited with their families and the relevant transit authorities.
