Zamfara Maintains No-Negotiation Policy as Some Hostages Freed but Dozens Still Missing

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State said his administration will never negotiate with bandits and will maintain sustained military operations until the groups surrender or face prosecution. Chief of Staff Mukhtar Musa delivered the statement on Sunday at the inauguration of the Association of Zamfara State Indigenes Residing in Kaduna State.

Musa said the state government supplies logistics, equipment and operational support to security agencies and urged residents to supply credible intelligence.

He announced a N5 million donation to the association. Association chairman Garba Balarabe and Zamfara Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources Abdulrahman Tumbido attended the event. AllAfrica reported that 22 persons abducted from communities in Kwara South regained their freedom on Saturday after a joint security operation along the forest belt bordering Kwara and Kogi states.

The freed group included four people taken in Idofin-Igbana about three months earlier, 15 worshippers from Ikerin Church in Eda Oniyo abducted on 28 April, and three worshippers from ECWA Church in Omugo abducted in April. Troops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued six additional kidnap victims, four adults and two infants, in Mussa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

Captain Mohammed Goni said the victims, abducted in May during operations linked to students of Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, were evacuated to a secure location for medical care.

Troops recovered 50 rounds of PKT ammunition abandoned by fleeing insurgents. Military authorities stated that 42 pupils from Mussa and 36 students from Government Day Secondary School in Lassa remain missing as of 6 July.