In a high-stakes display of inter-agency precision, Nigerian security forces successfully stormed a notorious kidnappers’ den in the Badurum Kasa Forest on Wednesday, liberating eight hostages during a swift evening offensive.
The operation, carried out on January 28, 2026, was spearheaded by troops of Sector 7, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP). Acting on what military officials described as “credible and actionable intelligence,” the soldiers executed a coordinated strike alongside the Zango Kataf Police Area Command, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), Forest Guards, and local hunters.
Military sources confirmed that the joint team advanced deep into the rugged terrain of the Kauru Local Government Area, making contact with the criminal elements at approximately 5:59 PM. The sheer intensity of the approach reportedly sent the kidnappers into a state of panic.
“The criminals were unable to withstand the superior force and precision of the joint team,” a spokesperson for the operation stated. “They abandoned their captives and fled in disarray into the surrounding bushes to escape the advancing troops.”
The victims, who had been held against their will in the dense forest, were found unharmed. The group of eight includes individuals ranging from young children to the elderly, specifically: Mrs. Rashida Musa, 19; Mrs. Hafsat Nuhu, 18; Mr. Zakari Saleh, 52; Miss Hasiya Yahaya, 13; Mr. Ahmed Yahaya, 14; Mr. Ibrahim Saiba, 11; Miss Salma Yahaya, 14; and Mr Sophan Idris, 18.
Following their rescue, the survivors were processed and reunited with their families in what was described as an emotional handover.
Reflecting on the mission’s success, a senior military official noted that the rescue underscores the Nigerian Army’s “robust inter-agency synergy and agile ground manoeuvres.” He further emphasised that the military remains committed to a “relentless resolve to protect lives, secure critical routes, and deny criminal elements the freedom of action” across the region.
Authorities have maintained a heightened presence in the area as they continue to track the fleeing suspects through the forest.
