Army Rescues Over 1,000 Kidnap Victims, Destroys Bandit Camps Across North-West

More than 1,000 Nigerians abducted by bandits across the North-West have regained their freedom as troops of the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division intensified a sustained military offensive that has dismantled criminal strongholds, killed notorious bandit leaders, and recovered large caches of arms.

The scale of the success was disclosed in Sokoto during the 2025 West African Social Activities (WASA), where the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, Maj-Gen Ibikunle Ajose, said operations under Operation FASAN YAMMA have significantly weakened bandit networks operating in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi states.

According to the Army, from January 2025 to date, troops recovered 189 AK-47 rifles, over 4,300 rounds of ammunition, 305 motorcycles, and more than 4,000 rustled livestock, while 1,023 kidnapped victims were rescued from forests and hideouts previously considered inaccessible.

Maj-Gen Ajose said several feared bandit leaders were neutralised during aggressive operations, forcing criminal gangs to flee or abandon their camps.

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“Communities that were previously under siege are breathing again. Farmers are returning to their fields and traders are moving goods freely with a renewed sense of safety,” he said.

He attributed the success to the deployment of special forces units trained for rapid strike-and-destroy missions, which enabled troops to strike bandit enclaves with speed and precision.

The disclosure came during the annual WASA celebration at the 8 Division Headquarters, a tradition that allows troops to unwind after months of frontline operations. Beyond the cultural displays, the event highlighted the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families in the fight against banditry and insecurity.

Representing Sokoto State Governor, Dr Ahmed Aliyu, the Special Adviser on Security, Col Ahmed Abdul Usman (rtd), commended the Army for restoring relative peace across the region and pledged continued state support.

“The government stands firmly with the military to ensure our communities remain safe,” he said.

Maj-Gen Ajose also revealed that the Army is prioritising troop welfare, with renovated barracks, upgraded medical facilities, and additional health personnel deployed to support soldiers and their families.

While the Army insists the fight against banditry is not yet over, the destruction of camps, seizure of weapons, and mass rescue of abducted civilians have renewed hope among residents that the tide of insecurity in the North-West may finally be turning.

Army Rescues Over 1,000 Kidnap Victims, Destroys Bandit Camps Across North-West

Bandits Attack Omi-Ara Community in Kogi, Abduct Several Residents

Suspected bandits have reportedly abducted an undisclosed number of residents following a violent attack on Omi-Ara community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, threw the community into panic, as residents said the exact number and identities of those abducted were yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

According to locals, security agencies have been alerted to the incident, but the Kogi State Police Command had not issued an official statement. Repeated attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP William Aya, were unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered and text messages were not responded to.

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The latest incident adds to growing concerns over insecurity in the Yagba axis, which has emerged as a kidnapping hotspot in recent months. Between August and November, armed attackers reportedly invaded two churches—a Cherubim and Seraphim Church and an ECWA Church—during which a pastor and his wife were abducted.

In another related incident, suspected bandits attacked Odo-Ere community, also in Yagba West LGA, on Sunday night, abducting at least four residents.

Residents have continued to call on the government and security agencies to step up efforts to curb the rising wave of banditry and kidnappings in the area.

Bandits Attack Omi-Ara Community in Kogi, Abduct Several Residents

Banks to Charge N50 Stamp Duty on Transfers of N10,000 and Above from January 2026

Following the implementation of the Tax Act, commercial banks in Nigeria will begin charging senders a N50 stamp duty on electronic transfers of N10,000 and above starting from January 1, 2026.

The charge, officially known as the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), is a one-off N50 fee imposed on electronic receipts or transfers of funds deposited in any commercial bank or financial institution, across all account types, where the transaction value is N10,000 or more.

In a customer notification issued on Tuesday, United Bank for Africa (UBA) informed customers that the N50 EMTL will henceforth be referred to as stamp duty across all financial institutions.

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“Please note the following: Stamp Duty applies to transactions of N10,000 and above, or the equivalent in other currencies,” the bank stated in the email. UBA clarified that salary payments and intra-bank self-transfers remain exempt from stamp duty.

The bank also noted a key change in responsibility for the charge, explaining that the sender will now bear the stamp duty cost, unlike previously when the fee was deducted from the beneficiary or receiver of the funds.

UBA reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, assuring customers that it will continue to provide timely updates on changes that may affect their banking transactions.

It will be recalled that on September 7, 2024, Nigerian financial technology (fintech) firms announced plans to introduce the N50 stamp duty fee on electronic transfers of N10,000 and above, in line with Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) regulations. The fintech companies explained that the levy applies to electronic transfers into both personal and business accounts nationwide.

Banks to Charge N50 Stamp Duty on Transfers of N10,000 and Above from January 2026