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Nigerian troops under Sector 7 of Operation Safe Haven have rescued eight people abducted by suspected kidnappers in Kaduna State, security officials said on Wednesday.
The victims were freed during a joint operation involving soldiers, police officers, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, forest guards, and local hunters at Badurum Kasa Forest in Kauru Local Government Area.
According to a security source who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria, the operation was launched after authorities received credible intelligence on the location of the kidnappers’ hideout.
The combined security team mobilised to the forest around 4.23 pm and later engaged the criminals at approximately 5.59 pm. Faced with pressure from the advancing forces, the suspects fled into nearby bushes, abandoning their captives.
“All eight victims were rescued unharmed and have been reunited with their families,” the source said, noting that no casualties were recorded during the operation.
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Officials identified those rescued as Rashida Musa, 19, Hafsat Nuhu, 18, Zakari Saleh, 52, Hasiya Yahaya, 13, Ahmed Yahaya, 14, Ibrahim Saiba, 11, Salma Yahaya, 14, and Sophan Idris, 18.
Medical checks were conducted after their release, and authorities confirmed that none required hospitalisation.
Security forces have launched follow up operations to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle the wider criminal network operating in the area.
The source said pursuit efforts were ongoing, adding that intelligence teams were exploiting information gathered from the site to identify escape routes and possible collaborators.
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Kaduna State has remained one of the regions affected by kidnapping and banditry in northern Nigeria, particularly in rural communities bordering forested areas. In recent months, security agencies have increased joint patrols and intelligence driven operations to disrupt criminal groups and secure highways and farming settlements.
Authorities say community cooperation and timely intelligence remain central to recent successes, including this latest rescue.
Earlier this month, similar coordinated efforts led to the recovery of abducted victims in parts of southern Kaduna, according to security briefings cited by Reuters.
Operations Safe Haven officials said further updates would be provided as investigations continue and arrests are made.
