Troops rescue 25 kidnap victims, recover rustled cattle in Niger

Nigerian Army troops, in collaboration with other security forces, have rescued 25 kidnapped victims and recovered 22 rustled cows and nine sheep following a fierce gun battle with armed bandits in Garungabas and Kundu villages, Rafi Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State.

The operation, which took place on February 21, 2025, was part of ongoing efforts to combat banditry and insurgency in the region.

This was contained in a post by security analyst Zagazola Makama on his official X handle on Saturday.

According to intelligence sources, the operation was carried out by a joint security task force comprising the Nigerian Army, police, and local vigilantes, who launched an offensive based on actionable intelligence about the movement of bandits in the area.

“The security team engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle, leading to the rescue of 25 victims, including men and women, who had been abducted from nearby villages,” the source said.

The sources further revealed that 22 cows and nine sheep, which had been rustled by the criminals, were successfully recovered, while several other livestock scattered into the bush during the operation.