Five months after they were whisked away from their homes by bandits, 20 victims of abduction have reportedly fled from captivity following a military airstrike on the kidnappers’ den in Zamfara forest.
The victims comprised five nursing mothers and their infants, a young man and nine children whose ages ranged between four and 10 years.
Katsina Post reported that they were warmly received by the State Government on Sunday.
Receiving them on behalf of the Governor at the State Pilgrims Camp, the Secretary to the Government of the State, Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa expressed delight over their rescue.
Inuwa was said to have immediately directed a medical team from the State Primary Healthcare Service to re-examine their condition and ensure their safe return to their families at Katoge Community, Batsari town after the medical checks.
The secretary also directed the Permanent Secretary Cabinet and Security to provide financial support while State Emergency Management Agency make arrangement to give them food items to cushion their hardships.
Inuwa attributed the rescue of the victims to the current military occupation and the stringent containment measures adopted by the affected States in the North West.
He however urged the Federal Government to order for similar operations taking place in Zamfara forest to be carried out simultaneously in all the affected States.
The SGS also called on the people to be patient with the measures adopted by the authorities and always provide the Security Agencies with useful information to end the menace.
A statement issued by the Director Press to the Secretary to the Government of the State, Abdullahi Aliyu Yar’adua said all the victims have since been reunited with their families.
