Security forces announced on Sunday that they had successfully rescued 23 students and staff members who were kidnapped in September from the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State, located in North-west Nigeria. 

According to security sources, the rescue operation took place near Kuncin Dutse, a village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara. Major General Adamu Laka, the Coordinator of the National Counter-terrorism Centre, reportedly oversaw the operation.

The rescued individuals have been handed over to security authorities in Abuja, where they are expected to be presented to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday by Mr. Laka. They have been evacuated to Abuja for debriefing and medical check-ups before being reunited with their families, as reported by PREMIUM TIMES.

Among the 23 individuals released in this recent development are 15 students and eight university workers. Additionally, a woman who was abducted in Funtua, Katsina State, was also rescued. A source, requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press, provided this information to PREMIUM TIMES.

One of the parents of the abducted students confirmed the release of her daughter to DW Hausa Service late Sunday. She stated that her daughter had contacted her and informed her that she was being transferred to Gusau, the state capital.

These students had been held captive for over 200 days after being abducted from their off-campus hostel in Sabon Gida, a community adjacent to the university campus in the state capital.

While some of the victims were rescued shortly after their abduction, it remains unclear how many more students are still being held by the terrorists.

As of now, the Zamfara State government has not issued a statement regarding the latest release of the students. When asked for comment, the spokesperson for the Federal University, Gusau, Umar Usman, stated that he had not been briefed on the situation.