Confirming the development on Wednesday, some rescued victims from Yalun community in Bashar district of Wase LGA commended the military for their intervention. One of the victims, Waziri Usman, who spent 13 days in captivity, said: “They kidnapped us while returning from charcoal work and transported us on motorcycles for about seven hours into the forest. They beat us, starved us, and only gave us dirty water.

They demanded N30 million ransom.” He added that while negotiations were ongoing, troops stormed the area. “After over two days of gunfire, the kidnappers fled as soldiers advanced. We freed ourselves and trekked for two days before reaching home,” he said.

Another victim, Dayyabu Bello, said 10 people were abducted at once and later separated in the forest. “We escaped when troops intensified operations and military aircraft hovered overhead, forcing the bandits to flee. Many of them were killed.

The military has done a lot,” he said. Residents of affected communities expressed relief, noting that the presence of bandits had prevented farming activities for years. Shapi’i Sambo, a youth leader in Wase, said the operation has restored confidence.

“Movement between communities was difficult before, but now we can resume our normal activities. We urge security agencies to sustain the operation,” he said. The member representing Wase Federal Constituency, Ahmed Idris Wase, also praised the security forces and called for sustained efforts to secure the area.

In a related development, troops of Operation Enduring Peace, a multi-security task force, on April 18 arrested nine suspected gunmen in Riyom LGA and recovered arms and ammunition. Sources said the suspects were intercepted around 1.35am near Ganawuri following intelligence on suspicious movements.