Students and staff members of the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State have regained their freedom after spending seven long months in captivity.
The victims were abducted during a brazen attack in the Gusau area in February.
Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama confirmed their release in a report shared on X on Monday, stating, “Abducted students of Federal University Gusau and staff regain freedom.”
While the specifics surrounding their release remain unclear, sources close to Zagazola indicated that security forces played a crucial role in the operation that secured the victims’ freedom.
He noted, “It was gathered that the students and staff were kidnapped during an attack by bandits in the Gusau area in February of this year.”
The announcement brings much-needed relief to the families and the broader academic community, who have anxiously awaited the safe return of their loved ones.
Zagazola further stated, “After spending an extended period in captivity, it has been confirmed that all the abducted individuals have returned in good health.”
In September 2023, a significant number of students from the Federal University Gusau were reported kidnapped.
An indigene of Sabon Gida village, Abubakar Sani, recounted the harrowing event, stating that the bandits, who were heavily armed and in large numbers, stormed the off-campus residences of the students.
“The bandits invaded the area around 4:00 am, where they attacked three students’ hostels,” Sani said, adding that the majority of those abducted were female students.
The return of these individuals marks a critical moment for the university and its community, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the region while also showcasing the resilience of families and the collaborative efforts of security forces in the fight against banditry.
