Key facts
- Nigerian troops rescued 33 abducted travelers in Zamfara state.
- The rescue occurred after troops intercepted gunmen moving the hostages.
- Gunmen fled into the bush after coming under fire.
- All 33 hostages were recovered without casualties.
- Kidnappings for ransom are common in northwestern Nigeria.
Nigerian troops have rescued 33 people who were abducted while traveling in Zamfara state, in the northwestern part of the country, an army statement said Sunday. A military operation was launched after unidentified gunmen kidnapped the group as they traveled through the Tsafe area of Zamfara on Saturday. Army spokesman Aliyu Danja stated that troops engaged the terrorists with effective fire, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into adjoining bushes. The troops then secured and rescued all 33 abducted persons. The army is working to track the fleeing terrorists. Zamfara has seen a surge in killings and abductions in recent months, with at least 32 people killed in separate attacks in June alone. The conflict in the northwest and north-central regions, alongside an insurgency in the northeast, has led to thousands of deaths and millions displaced, according to the United Nations. Despite President Bola Tinubu's promises to address the crisis, security challenges in Nigeria continue to deteriorate.