Troops Rescue Five Kidnap Victims, Arrest Three Suspected Kidnappers in Kaduna

The Nigerian Army Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have rescued five kidnapped victims and arrested three suspected kidnappers during a clearance operation in Boto Forest, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The operation, conducted based on intelligence, took place around 12:30 p.m. on March 2, 2025.

According to the source, troops engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee.

The rescued victims were identified as Abdullahi Saleh, 38; Blessed Haruna, 17; Mary Nuhu, 32; Charity Nuhu, 35; and Abubakar Wakili, 25.

Troops also arrested three suspected kidnappers: Abubakar Shehu, 30; Mohammed Sani, 20; and Adamu Mohammed, 25.

A further search of the hideout led to the recovery of one fabricated revolver rifle, nine rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two mobile phones, two cutlasses, 32 rustled cows, and a cash sum of N521,000.

The rescued victims were debriefed and reunited with their families, while one victim who sustained machete cuts was evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment.

The arrested suspects and recovered items are in custody, while efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal gang.