All Seven Zamfara Polytechnic Students Freed After Seven‑Week Kidnapping

Seven students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda in Zamfara state were abducted by armed bandits on the night of 2 June 2024. The attackers broke into a rented off‑campus residence in the Low‑Cost area, taking the students; one escaped during the raid, leaving six in captivity.

After a coordinated intelligence‑led operation by the Department of State Services, the State Security Service and troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, the remaining four students were rescued on 19 June without a ransom payment. One suspected kidnapper was arrested, while the others involved were neutralised. Earlier, two of the six captives had already been released, completing the freedom of all seven abductees.

The incident highlighted ongoing bandit insecurity in Kaura Namoda, where local groups have warned about the activities of bandit leader Kachalla Bello Dansadiya. The rescue underscores the federal security agencies' response to repeated kidnappings in the region.