Troops Rescue 25 Kidnapped Victims, Recover Rustled Cattle in Fierce Battle with Bandits in Niger State

By: Zagazola Makama

In a bold and decisive operation, Nigerian Army troops in Niger State have rescued 25 kidnapped victims and recovered 22 rustled cows and nine sheep after an intense gunfight with heavily armed bandits in Garungabas and Kundu villages, Rafi Local Government Area (LGA).

Sources informed Zagazola Makama that the operation was executed by a joint security task force comprising the Nigerian Army, the police, and local vigilante groups as part of a relentless campaign against banditry and insurgency in the region.

Acting on credible intelligence, the task force launched an aggressive offensive against the criminals on February 21, 2025. As the troops stormed the bandits’ hideouts, a fierce exchange of gunfire ensued, forcing the assailants to retreat into the bush. The gallant security forces successfully rescued 25 captives, including men and women who had been abducted from neighboring villages.

A security source disclosed that aside from rescuing the hostages, the troops also recovered 22 cows and nine sheep that had been stolen by the criminals. However, several other livestock were scattered in the forest as the bandits fled under heavy gunfire.

In a separate, harrowing incident, bandits ambushed a Sharon commuter bus traveling from Sokoto to Minna, unleashing a hail of bullets on the unsuspecting passengers. According to sources, the ruthless gunmen fired indiscriminately as the vehicle neared their hideout, instantly killing a male and a female passenger.

Several others sustained severe injuries, and emergency responders swiftly evacuated the wounded victims and the bodies of the deceased to the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna for urgent medical treatment and autopsy.

The latest developments underscore the persistent security challenges in Niger State, where bandits continue to terrorize rural communities. However, security forces have vowed to sustain their crackdown on criminal elements, ensuring that law-abiding citizens can live without fear.

Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies as the government ramps up efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.