A Nigerian Air Force strike on a Katsina bandit camp enabled 62 kidnap victims’ escape.
The bombardment forced armed men to flee, opening a window for hostages to regain freedom.
The Katsina State Government has confirmed the escape of 62 kidnap victims following a successful Nigerian Air Force strike on a bandit camp in Danmusa Local Government Area.
The operation, carried out on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at about 5:10 p.m., targeted a hideout in Jigawa Sawai, a settlement on the border with Zamfara State. The camp was reportedly run by notorious bandit leader, Muhammadu Fulani.
According to an official statement released on Sunday, the bombardment forced the armed men to abandon their base, creating a window for the hostages to flee. “The victims revealed that the bandits abandoned their camp during the airstrike, which enabled about 62 captives to escape in different directions,” the government said.
Authorities confirmed that 12 of the escapees are receiving treatment at Matazu General Hospital, while 16 others are being sheltered at the Army Forward Operating Base in Kaiga Malamai.
Most of those rescued were abducted during a night raid on Sayaya village on August 11 by Fulani’s gang, which has been blamed for repeated attacks across Matazu, Kankia, Dutsinma, and even parts of Kano State.
The government noted that troops remain on the ground to secure the area and continue search-and-rescue efforts. It also described the current security situation in the affected communities as calm.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda praised the bravery of security forces and assured families that the rescued victims would be reunited with them after undergoing necessary medical care. He further pledged the state’s continued support for military operations against banditry.
