The Nigerian Army has rescued more than 1,000 people abducted by criminal gangs during sustained security operations across the North-West over the past 18 months. The rescues were carried out through coordinated ground assaults, intelligence-led raids, and joint operations with other security agencies targeting known bandit enclaves. Many of the victims, including women and children, were freed from forest hideouts where they had been held for weeks or months.

Military sources say the operations also led to the recovery of hundreds of weapons and large quantities of ammunition, significantly weakening the operational capacity of kidnapping networks in the region. Several bandit leaders were neutralised, while others were forced to flee as troops dismantled camps and disrupted supply routes. The army noted that sustained pressure has reduced large-scale abductions in some hotspots, although sporadic attacks still occur.

Beyond the rescues, the military says its presence has helped restore confidence among local communities, with residents gradually returning to farms, markets, and major roads once considered unsafe. Security analysts stress that while the progress is notable, long-term stability will depend on continuous military engagement, improved intelligence sharing, and addressing underlying issues such as poverty and arms proliferation. For now, the army maintains that its campaign against kidnapping and banditry in the North-West remains ongoing and resolute.