Troops Rescue Ten Kidnapped Women in Kaduna During Pre-Dawn Operation

Ten kidnapped women have been successfully rescued in Kaduna State after a swift and coordinated mission carried out by troops of Operation Peace Shield in the early hours of Friday. The Nigerian Army confirmed the development, saying the rescue was the result of intensified counterinsurgency efforts across the state.

According to military officials, the operation was executed in the Sanga Local Government Area, a zone that has witnessed repeated incidents of abductions and criminal attacks in recent months. The Army reported that troops acted on actionable intelligence indicating the movement and location of a kidnapping syndicate holding several victims in a remote settlement.

Army authorities said the team moved into the area before dawn, using a combination of ground surveillance and rapid-response manoeuvres to surprise the kidnappers. A senior security source disclosed that the abductors fled upon encountering superior firepower, leaving the women behind unharmed. According to the Army’s statement, no casualties were recorded among the troops or the rescued victims.

The military noted that the successful rescue highlights the ongoing pressure being mounted on criminal groups in Kaduna, particularly those operating across the Sanga, Kachia and Kagarko axes. According to security analysts cited by local reporters, these areas form part of a wider corridor used by gangs to transport abductees and evade law enforcement.

The Nigerian Army also reaffirmed its commitment to restoring stability in communities troubled by banditry. A spokesperson for Operation Peace Shield said the rescue was part of an intensified campaign to dismantle hideouts and disrupt the networks enabling the recent surge in abductions. The spokesperson added that more operations were underway in adjoining forests to locate other victims still held by criminal groups.

Residents in Sanga have welcomed the news, saying the successful intervention brings renewed hope to communities living under the threat of armed groups. Local reporters noted that villagers expressed relief and gratitude to the troops for their swift action, especially given the frequency of night-time raids in the area.

According to the Army, the rescued women have been handed over to authorities for medical evaluation and reunification with their families. The military appealed to the public to continue sharing timely information that could support ongoing operations aimed at securing Kaduna and its neighbouring states.