Army Rescues 33 Passengers Abducted in Zamfara

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 33 passengers abducted by terrorists in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, following a rapid response by security forces.

The victims were reportedly travelling through the Magazu area of Tsafe when they were intercepted and abducted by armed terrorists on Saturday, August 8, 2026.

According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, troops of Sector 2, working alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Force deployed in Tsafe, responded after receiving information about the incident.

The security forces mobilized to the area and encountered the terrorists while they were moving the abducted passengers to an undisclosed location.

The troops engaged the attackers, forcing them to abandon the victims and escape into nearby bushes.

All 33 abducted passengers were subsequently rescued without casualties, while troops continued to search the surrounding area in an effort to locate the fleeing terrorists.

The operation comes amid continued security concerns across Zamfara and other parts of the North-West, where armed groups have carried out kidnappings and attacks on communities and travellers.

The Theatre Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMMA commended the troops for their swift response and professionalism, which he said contributed to the safe recovery of the victims.

The command also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians, restricting the activities of terrorists and securing major transportation routes across the region.

Security authorities urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information about the movements and activities of terrorists and other criminal groups to security agencies.

The latest rescue adds to a series of recent operations in which security forces have freed abducted Nigerians in different parts of the country, as the military and other agencies intensify efforts to tackle kidnapping and other forms of insecurity.