ABUJA: The Nigerian Air Force has rescued 76 kidnap victims, including women and children, after a precision air strike on a bandit stronghold in northwest Katsina State, authorities said on Saturday.
The operation, targeting Pauwa Hill in Kankara Local Government Area, was part of a manhunt for a gang leader named Babaro who has been linked to a mosque attack last week in the town of Malumfashi in northwest Nigeria.
One child died during the rescue, the state’s Internal Security Ministry said, but it was not clear if there were any other casualties among the kidnap victims or the gang members.
The Air Force did not immediately respond to phone calls and messages seeking comment.
The air strike could mark a breakthrough in efforts to dismantle criminal networks in northwest Nigeria, where armed gangs have terrorized rural communities for years.
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“We are assisting our American partners to ensure that Ukraine receives the appropriate assistance.”
Zelensky said he had told his intelligence services to prioritize agreeing on a new release of Ukrainian POWs held by Russia before the new year.
Russia and Ukraine have conducted regular prisoner swaps since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Nigeria Air Force rescues 76 kidnap victims, official says
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Nigeria Air Force rescues 76 kidnap victims, official says
- The operation, targeting Pauwa Hill in Kankara Local Government Area, was part of a manhunt for a gang leader named Babaro
Zelensky says five Ukrainians released by Belarus in US-brokered deal
- “Thanks to the active role of the United States and the cooperation of our intelligence services,” Zelensky wrote
KYIV: Five Ukrainians were among the prisoners released by Belarus in a US-brokered deal on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, expressing gratitude to Washington for aiding their release.
“Thanks to the active role of the United States and the cooperation of our intelligence services, about a hundred people, including five Ukrainians, are now being released,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
“We are assisting our American partners to ensure that Ukraine receives the appropriate assistance.”
Zelensky said he had told his intelligence services to prioritize agreeing on a new release of Ukrainian POWs held by Russia before the new year.
Russia and Ukraine have conducted regular prisoner swaps since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
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