Troops of Operation MESA, comprising personnel from the 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigeria Police Force, have rescued seven kidnapped victims during a coordinated operation in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
According to Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army Captain Babatunde Zubairu, the operation was triggered by a distress call received at about 11:00 p.m. on 29 November 2025 from Yankamaye Cikin Gari village, where bandits had launched an attack. The armed group had already killed a 60-year-old woman before security forces arrived.
Acting on the alert, the troops swiftly mobilised, made contact with the bandits and rescued seven abducted residents. They subsequently pursued the fleeing criminals along their withdrawal route toward Rimaye, engaging them with sustained fire.
Authorities, however, confirmed that four kidnapped victims remain unaccounted for, with efforts underway to locate them.
The bandits were said to have escaped toward Kankia Local Government Area in neighbouring Katsina State as security agents continue tracking their movements.
Commander of the 3 Brigade commended the troops for their swift response and professionalism, urging residents to continue providing credible and timely information to support ongoing security operations.
