A total of nine students from the Nigerian Confluence University of Science and Technology, abducted by terrorists on Friday, have been rescued, the country's armed forces reported.
"In the North Central region, troops deployed for the search and rescue of the abducted students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology in Osara, Kogi State, in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilantes encountered the scouts deployed by the kidnappers in the vicinity of the Osara Forests and nearby areas, resulting to a fierce fire fight. The superior firepower of the troops led to the kidnappers abandoning 9 of the kidnapped students, who were subsequently rescued," the military noted.
The Nigerian troops also saved two other hostages kidnapped to violent extremists in the country's North West of Zamfara State. After "a fierce gun battle," the other 17 kidnap victims were rescued by the military in Nigeria's Katsina State.
In the country's Northeastern State of Borno, Alhaji Wosai, identified as a member of the Boko Haram* terrorists operating within the Garno Village, "voluntarily surrendered to troops."
In recent years, Nigeria has been struggling with insecurity due to the activities of Boko Haram* and other terrorist groups in the country, including kidnappings for ransom and criminal looting.
* A terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other states.