LAGOS - Nigeria's army has rescued 13 hostages who were kidnapped in northwest Kaduna state, following a military operation prompted by a tip-off, a government official said on Saturday.

After receiving information that the kidnappers were about to relocate the six men and seven women, the military launched an operation at a camp near Chigulu village, in the Kachia local government area of Kaduna state.

Following a gun battle the bandits fled into the surrounding forest and abandoned their captives, Kaduna's security commissioner Samuel Aruwan said in a statement.

Kidnappings in northern Nigeria, particularly in schools and on highways, have become frequent as criminal gangs seek ransom payments. Abductions often force families to sell land, cattle, and grain to secure the release of their loved ones.

The freed hostages were taken to a military facility for medical assessment and debriefing before being reunited with their families.

The operation at the camp also led to the discovery of weapons, ammunition, solar panels, and cash.

  - Reuters