Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Special Forces on night patrol on 6 August 2023, near Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, rescued 7 kidnapped victims comprising 6 females and a male, in the early hours of 6 August 2023.
According to Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, in a press release he signed on 7 August 2023, the female victims on interrogation, revealed that they were kidnapped from Paikoro in Niger State while the lone male victim stated that he was picked up against his will from Rijau in Niger State. On sighting the troops, the terrorists abandoned their victims and fled into a nearby forest. The victims were subsequently taken to the NAF Medical facility at Birnin Gwari for review and subsequently released, less the male victim who is still being observed.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has since commended the efforts of the troops while calling for intensified efforts towards ensuring all areas within Kaduna State and environs are free of terrorists, kidnappers, and other criminal elements.