2025: Nigerian Army Rescues 1,023 Kidnap Victims, Recovers 189 AK-47 Rifles in Northwest

The Nigerian Army on Wednesday announced significant progress in its campaign against banditry and kidnapping in the northwest, revealing that troops rescued 1,023 kidnapped victims and recovered 189 AK-47 rifles along with 4,338 rounds of ammunition throughout the year.

The figures, disclosed by Major General Ibikunle Ajose, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 8 Division in Sokoto, represent cumulative achievements under Operation FANSAN YAMMA and the Sector 2 Joint Task Force North West. Operations spanned volatile states including Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Katsina, where armed gangs have long terrorised communities through abductions for ransom, cattle rustling, and attacks on villages and highways.

“As the year concluded, the 8 Division reaffirmed its resolve to build on these successes, ensuring a safer and more secure northwest region for all citizens,” Maj. Gen. Ajose stated during the closing ceremony of the West African Social Activities (WASA) event in Sokoto.

The announcement highlights intensified intelligence-led offensives that have targeted bandit hideouts and supply lines. While specific monthly breakdowns were not provided, the year-end tally underscores a sustained military push amid persistent threats in Nigeria's northwest, a region where kidnappings frequently target travellers, farmers, and schoolchildren.

Ahmed Usman, Special Adviser on Security Matters to Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu, commended the troops' dedication. “The Nigerian Army’s commitment to national security” has been exemplary, Usman said, praising the collaborative efforts that have contributed to improved stability in parts of the state.