Katsina State, Nigeria – Nigerian troops have rescued a kidnapped victim who was discovered in chains during a major clearance operation targeting terrorist and bandit hideouts in parts of Katsina State, in the North-West region.
Security sources said the operation was conducted by personnel of the Nigerian military under ongoing counterinsurgency efforts aimed at flushing out armed groups operating in forested areas across the state.
According to military accounts, the troops carried out coordinated ground assaults backed by intelligence support and surveillance operations, storming several identified hideouts used by suspected terrorists and bandit groups. The operation reportedly took place across forest corridors believed to serve as operational bases for kidnapping gangs.
During the raid, soldiers reportedly found a kidnapped victim who had been restrained with chains inside one of the hideouts. The victim was immediately freed and given initial medical attention following the rescue.
The military further disclosed that several makeshift camps used by the armed groups were destroyed during the operation, while suspected criminal logistics structures within the forests were dismantled. The clearance exercise also disrupted the activities of the groups believed to be involved in kidnapping for ransom and cattle rustling across affected communities.
Further details on the identity of the rescued victim and the number of casualties recorded during the operation were yet to be officially released at the time of filing this report.
