Four abducted youths in Zamfara have been rescued after a joint security operation in Zurmi.
The boys were kidnapped while mining illegally in a bandit-prone forest near Hawan Bakwai.
At least four abducted youths in Zamfara State have been rescued through a coordinated joint operation involving troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, police officers, members of the Civilian Protection Group (CPG), and local hunters.
The daring rescue mission was launched after reports emerged that eight boys from Alasanawa village in Moriki District, located in Zurmi Local Government Area, had been kidnapped. The abduction reportedly took place on Monday, June 17, while the boys were engaging in illegal mining activities within the Alawa bush, a remote area notorious for bandit activities and located near the Hawan Bakwai black spot.
According to local sources, the youths were suddenly ambushed by armed men who whisked them away into the dense forest. Once the alarm was raised, a joint security task force was quickly mobilized to respond to the incident. The team tracked the abductors’ movement and confronted them during a tactical operation in the forested region.
A fierce exchange of gunfire reportedly ensued as the security forces made contact with the bandits. After a sustained battle, four of the eight abducted victims were successfully rescued from captivity. The operation was said to have been well-coordinated and involved intimate knowledge of the terrain, thanks to the support of local hunters and members of the Civilian Protection Group, who guided the security operatives through the difficult landscape.
Efforts are currently ongoing to secure the release of the remaining four boys who are still being held by the assailants. Military and police authorities have assured the affected families and the public that no stone will be left unturned in the bid to bring back the remaining victims and dismantle criminal hideouts in the region.
Community leaders and residents of Alasanawa village have expressed relief at the rescue of the four youths and have commended the security forces for their swift response. However, they also called for increased patrols and surveillance in rural mining areas, which have become frequent targets for kidnappers and criminal gangs in recent years.
The incident underscores the growing security challenges in Zamfara State, particularly around illegal mining zones that often attract both desperate job-seekers and predatory armed groups. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to combating these threats and restoring safety to affected communities.
