Nigerian Air Strike Enables Dramatic Escape of 62 Kidnapped Victims
In a remarkable turn of events, 62 kidnapped victims have escaped from their captors following a targeted air strike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on a notorious bandit kingpin’s camp in the Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina state. The successful operation, conducted on Saturday, forced the bandits to flee, allowing the victims to break free and escape in different directions.
According to Dr. Nasir Mu’azu, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, the NAF air strike was aimed at the Jigawa-Sawai area on the border with Zamfara. In a statement released on Monday, Mu’azu confirmed that 12 of the escaped victims were receiving medical attention at Matazu General Hospital, while 16 others were being cared for at the Nigerian Army Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Kaiga Malamai.
The commissioner revealed that the victims had been abducted from Sayaya village during a night attack on August 11, 2025, by the gang of Muhammadu Fulani, a notorious bandit kingpin who has been terrorizing communities in Matazu, Kankia, Dutsinma, and parts of Kano State. Interviews with the rescued victims confirmed that the bandits fled as a result of the airstrike, allowing the captives to escape.
In response to the situation, the Katsina state government has deployed the Quick Response Wing of the Nigerian Air Force to restore peace to the troubled communities in Bakori and Matazu Local Government Areas. Mu’azu assured the affected families that the government would reunite the rescued victims with their loved ones after completing necessary medical examinations.
The successful operation marks a significant victory for the Nigerian authorities in their efforts to combat banditry and kidnapping in the region. The deployment of the Quick Response Wing is expected to enhance security and facilitate further rescue operations in the area. As the situation continues to unfold, the government remains committed to reuniting the rescued victims with their families and ensuring the safety and well-being of all affected communities.
