By Yakubu Mohammed
Operatives of the Nigerian Army have rescued 58 kidnapped victims from a camp controlled by a notorious bandit leader, Janbros, in Kaduna State.
On Saturday, the victims were handed over to the Kaduna State government by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa.
According to a statement from the Office of the National Security Adviser (Onsa), the victims comprised 35 males and 23 females.
The victims were kidnapped from their homes and farmlands in Gayam, Sabon Layi, and Kwaga villages in Katsina State, North-west Nigeria.
The statement said preliminary investigations showed that the victims were kidnapped by suspected armed bandits under the command of Janbros. It also said no ransom was paid.
Premium Times understands that Janbros was one of the bandit kingpins that took part in the abduction of more than 100 schoolchildren in Kuriga, Kaduna State.
According to Onsa, the kidnapped victims were forced to trek ”for hundreds of kilometres through the thick forest of Birnin Gwari”.
After their rescue, the government provided the victims with the necessary assistance to stabilise them before handing them over to Onsa for rehabilitation and immediate medical checkups. Six were admitted to hospital.
Pointing out that some individuals are trying to sabotage their efforts, the military urged Nigerians to support them in the fight against terror.
