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Security forces in Zamfara State have rescued a man abducted by armed bandits in Tsafe Local Government Area, reinforcing ongoing efforts by authorities to confront persistent insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest.
The Zamfara State Police Command confirmed that the victim, Abdullahi Isah Nagari, was freed during a joint operation involving police officers and military personnel after his abduction on January 29, 2026. The rescue followed a coordinated search triggered by a report filed shortly after he was taken.
According to the police, Nagari was discovered tied to a tree in a forested area, showing signs of physical abuse. He sustained a machete cut injury to his hand and was immediately evacuated for medical care.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said the joint security team acted swiftly after receiving intelligence on the kidnapping.
He explained that officers traced the bandits’ movement into a remote area, where the victim was located and rescued without any ransom payment. The operation, he said, was the result of close cooperation between security agencies and local sources.
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Following his release, Nagari was taken to the General Hospital in Tsafe, where doctors are treating his injuries. Medical officials said his condition was stable.
Abubakar said security patrols have been stepped up across Tsafe and neighboring communities to prevent further attacks. He added that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
The Commissioner of Police in Zamfara State, Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba, has assured residents that protecting lives and property remains a top priority for the command.
Abubakar quoted the commissioner as reaffirming the commitment of security agencies to sustained operations against criminal groups operating in forests and rural settlements across the state.
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He also appealed to residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, noting that community cooperation often determines the success of rescue missions.
Zamfara State has been one of the regions hardest hit by banditry in recent years, with communities facing repeated cases of abductions, village raids, and attacks on travelers. Many of the incidents occur in remote areas where armed groups exploit difficult terrain and limited infrastructure.
In response, Nigerian security forces have intensified both ground and air operations. In November 2025, the Nigerian Air Force carried out airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in Tsafe Local Government Area, destroying camps and key logistics sites linked to armed groups.
More recently, in January 2026, security operatives rescued 36 abducted persons in Shinkafi Local Government Area, an operation that authorities said dealt a blow to local bandit networks.
Security officials say the latest rescue highlights the impact of sustained pressure on criminal groups, even as challenges remain. Joint operations involving the police, military, and other security agencies are expected to continue, particularly in areas identified as bandit strongholds.
Authorities have maintained that restoring peace in Zamfara will require not only security action but also continued collaboration with local communities, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained patrols.
