Six FUDMA Students and Driver Rescued from Kidnappers in Katsina After Military Intervention
Six female students of Federal University Dutsin-Ma and their driver have been rescued from kidnappers along the Daye-Malumfashi road in Katsina State
Six female students of the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA) and a commercial driver have been rescued from kidnappers following a swift military response to an attack on a vehicle travelling through Katsina State.
The victims were rescued on Monday evening, September 21, 2026, along the Daye–Malumfashi road in Danmusa Local Government Area, after troops responding to a distress call intercepted the kidnappers before they could move their captives deeper into the surrounding areas.
The operation was carried out by troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, a military formation involved in security operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities across parts of north-western Nigeria. (Channels Television)
How the students were abducted
According to reports, the six students were travelling in a commercial vehicle from Kaduna towards Katsina when armed men attacked the vehicle along the highway.
The vehicle was reportedly carrying seven people - the six university students and the driver - when the attackers intercepted it and took control of the passengers.
A distress call was subsequently received by security forces, prompting troops in the area to mobilise and begin efforts to locate the vehicle and rescue the occupants.
The military's rapid response prevented the incident from developing into a prolonged hostage situation.
Reports indicate that troops eventually caught up with the kidnappers along the Daye–Malumfashi corridor. Faced with the arrival of the security forces, the abductors abandoned the victims and fled into the surrounding area.
Victims rescued unhurt
The six students and the driver were recovered unhurt, according to the military account reported by Channels Television.
After the rescue, the victims underwent preliminary security profiling and medical evaluations as part of the procedures for people recovered from kidnapping incidents.
They were subsequently expected to be handed over to designated officials for reunification with their families and the university authorities.
The safe recovery of the students has provided relief to their families and the wider FUDMA community, particularly against the background of continuing security concerns affecting road travel and educational institutions across parts of northern Nigeria.
Military responds to distress call
The rescue has also highlighted the importance of rapid communication between communities and security agencies when kidnapping incidents occur.
According to the military, the operation followed a prompt response to the distress call reporting the attack.
The troops' intervention forced the kidnappers to abandon the captives and escape, allowing the students and their driver to be recovered without injuries.
The military said Operation FANSAN YAMMA continues to conduct security operations across the region, with a focus on protecting communities and rescuing victims of kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The operation comes as security forces continue to face the challenge of armed criminal groups operating across the forests and highways of north-western Nigeria.
Katsina's continuing security challenge
Katsina State has remained one of the states affected by kidnapping and banditry in the North-West, with highways, rural communities and educational institutions among areas that have faced security threats.
The latest incident occurred along the Daye-Malumfashi route, an important road connecting communities within Katsina State.
The location is also significant because rural areas and forest corridors across parts of the North-West have historically provided hideouts for criminal groups.
The ability of kidnappers to move victims quickly from highways into difficult-to-access areas has often complicated rescue operations.
In this case, however, the reported distress call and subsequent deployment of troops enabled security forces to locate the attackers before the captives could be taken farther away.
Concerns over students' safety
The incident has again drawn attention to the vulnerability of university students who travel between campuses, homes and other parts of the country.
For students attending institutions in areas affected by insecurity, road travel can present additional risks, particularly when journeys involve isolated highways or routes close to areas where armed groups operate.
The rescue also comes against a wider backdrop of student kidnappings in northern Nigeria.
Students have previously been targeted by armed groups seeking ransom payments, with several incidents involving universities and other educational institutions.
Security agencies have consequently increased efforts to protect students and educational communities, although attacks on roads and off-campus residences remain a challenge.
No reported arrest of kidnappers
While the students and driver were successfully rescued, the reports available so far do not indicate that the kidnappers were arrested during the operation.
The attackers reportedly fled after abandoning their captives when troops arrived.
A detailed account of any subsequent pursuit operation, arrests or recovery of weapons was not included in the initial reports.
Security agencies are expected to continue efforts to identify and track those responsible for the attack.
Information obtained from the rescued victims could also assist investigators in establishing how the attackers operated and determining possible escape routes.
Relief for families and university community
For the families of the six students, the successful rescue brings an end to an immediate period of uncertainty and fear.
The students' safe recovery also provides reassurance to the FUDMA community, where concerns over the safety of students travelling through vulnerable areas are likely to remain.
The military said the victims would undergo the necessary procedures before being reunited with their families and university officials.
The incident demonstrates both the continuing threat posed by kidnapping in parts of Katsina and the potential impact of timely security intervention.
Security operations continue
The Nigerian military has maintained operations against armed groups across the North-West under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, with troops conducting patrols, responding to distress calls and pursuing criminal groups operating in the region.
The latest rescue reinforces the importance of intelligence gathering, community cooperation and rapid military response in kidnapping situations.
However, the successful operation does not remove the broader security challenge confronting Katsina and neighbouring states.
For residents and students travelling through vulnerable areas, the threat of kidnapping remains a concern, while security agencies continue efforts to prevent attacks and dismantle criminal networks.
For now, the immediate outcome of the Daye-Malumfashi incident is positive: six FUDMA students and their commercial driver are alive, safe and on their way back to their families and university community after being rescued from their abductors.
The military's account indicates that the quick response to the distress call was central to the outcome, while further security operations are expected as authorities work to track the kidnappers responsible for the attack.