𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮, 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮

Three newly graduated Nigerian Army personnel have reportedly been abducted by suspected bandits in Zamfara State while travelling to Kebbi State after completing their military training.

The soldiers were said to have passed out from the 26 Nigerian Army formation in Kaduna on July 2, 2026, and were expected to be transported to Zuru, Kebbi State. However, reports indicate that they were dropped off in Gusau, Zamfara State, late in the evening and instructed to continue the remaining journey on their own the following day.

According to sources, the soldiers boarded a commercial vehicle from the Gusau motor park alongside other passengers heading to Kebbi. While travelling through the Anka axis of Zamfara State, the vehicle was ambushed by heavily armed bandits, who abducted the occupants.

A security analyst familiar with the incident disclosed that six newly graduated soldiers were among those travelling in the vehicle. Three reportedly escaped during the attack, but only one has since been located, while the remaining three were taken captive by the kidnappers.

The abductors initially demanded a ransom of ₦50 million from the victims' families before reducing the demand to ₦5 million for each of the kidnapped soldiers.

Family members of the victims alleged that they immediately informed the Nigerian Army about the incident but claimed that no rescue operation or official response had been initiated more than a week after the abduction.

The families also expressed concern over their inability to raise the ransom, saying they lack the financial means to meet the kidnappers' demands.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had not issued an official statement regarding the incident or the status of any rescue efforts.