Joint Security Forces Rescue Eight Kidnap Victims in Kaduna Forest Operation
In a significant security breakthrough, troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully dismantled a kidnappers' hideout located deep within a forest in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The operation resulted in the safe rescue of eight victims who had been held captive, including several children.
Coordinated Offensive Against Criminal Elements
The Nigerian Army officially confirmed this development through a detailed statement released on Thursday, January 29, 2026. According to military authorities, the operation was executed by troops from Sector 7 of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), who acted upon credible and actionable intelligence received about criminal activities in the area.
The military forces did not operate alone in this critical mission. They conducted the forest assault in close coordination with multiple security and local partners, including personnel from the Zango Kataf Police Area Command, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), trained Forest Guards, and experienced local Hunters familiar with the terrain.
Operation Details and Successful Outcome
The joint security team launched a swift and well-coordinated offensive into the identified kidnappers' hideout at Badurum Kasa Forest on January 28, 2026. As the forces advanced decisively into the forest area, they made contact with the kidnappers at approximately 1759 hours.
The confrontation triggered immediate panic among the criminal elements, who found themselves unable to withstand the superior force and tactical precision displayed by the joint security team. In their disorganized retreat, the kidnappers abandoned their captives and fled in disarray into the surrounding dense bushes, leaving behind their hideout and the victims they had been holding.
This successful military operation led directly to the rescue of eight kidnapped victims, all of whom were found unharmed despite their ordeal. The rescued individuals have since been successfully reunited with their relieved families, bringing closure to what was undoubtedly a traumatic experience for all involved.
Identities of Rescued Victims
The Nigerian Army provided specific details about those rescued during the operation:
- Mrs Rashida Musa (19 years old)
- Mrs Hafsat Nuhu (18 years old)
- Mr Zakari Saleh (52 years old)
- Miss Hasiya Yahaya (13 years old)
- Mr Ahmed Yahaya (14 years old)
- Mr Ibrahim Saiba (11 years old)
- Miss Salma Yahaya (14 years old)
- Mr Sophan Idris (18 years old)
The age range of the victims highlights the indiscriminate nature of kidnapping activities, affecting both adults and minors across different age groups.
Military Statement on Operational Success
In their official statement, the Nigerian Army emphasized that this operation represents another crushing blow to criminal elements operating in the region. Military authorities highlighted several key aspects of their operational approach that contributed to the mission's success.
The decisive action demonstrates the Nigerian Army's robust inter-agency synergy, showcasing how different security forces can work together effectively. The operation also displayed agile ground maneuvers and reflected the military's relentless resolve to protect civilian lives, secure critical transportation routes, and deny criminal elements the freedom of action they seek in remote areas.
This successful rescue operation in Kaduna State's Kauru Local Government Area serves as a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and improve security conditions in Nigeria's forest regions, where criminal elements have often established hideouts to evade detection.
