Seven abducted individuals have regained their freedom in Zamfara State without the payment of ransom, in what security sources describe as a rare occurrence in the region plagued by banditry.
The victims, who were kidnapped in Maradun Local Government Area, were reportedly released on Thursday after being discovered by security operatives during a routine patrol of the Maradun forest.
Security analyst, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the development in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday. He identified one of the freed victims as a 30-year-old man, Nasiru Sani.
According to Makama, the victims revealed that they were held at Bayan Ruwa camp, a notorious hideout said to be under the control of a feared bandit kingpin known as “Jimou Smally.” The camp has been linked to several high-profile kidnapping cases in the region.
“Surprisingly, the victims said the bandit kingpin freed them without demanding any ransom,” Makama stated.
Following their release, the victims were taken to a nearby security outpost where they received medical attention before being reunited with their families.
Although the reason for the bandits’ unexpected act of leniency remains unclear, security sources believe it may be connected to mounting pressure from ongoing military operations under Operation FANSAN TANMA in Maradun and surrounding communities.
The development comes amid renewed efforts by security forces to flush out criminal elements and restore peace in Zamfara, one of the states hardest hit by banditry in Nigeria’s northwest.
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