Operatives of the joint task force codenamed Operation Hadarin-Daji have rescued six female students of Federal University, Gusau, abducted in the early hours of Friday.

The Information Officer of the task force, Captain Ibrahim Yahaya, confirmed this development to NAN via telephone on Friday.

The rescue operation was in response to the reported abduction of an unspecified number of female students from their rented hostels at Sabon-Gida, a few metres away from the university campus, located on the outskirts of the Zamfara State capital.

According to Yahaya, the troops pursued the abductors of the students into the forest and engaged them in a gun duel, supported by the air component of the Nigerian Air Force.

He further stated that several bandits were neutralised during the rescue effort, which, he said, is still ongoing.

“The troops also recovered one AK-47, a magazine, four motorcycles, and one communication gadget from the terrorists,” he stated.

Earlier in June, students of the institution protested to draw attention to the spate of abductions targeted at their mates residing in Sabon-Gida and Damba communities.

The two communities are opposite the main campus of the university, which is about 20 kilometres from Gusau, the state capital.