Seven nomadic pastoralists were abducted by armed men at their camp near Garin Jaji Village, Akko Local Government Area, Gombe State, in the early hours of Saturday.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attack occurred at about 1:00 a.m., when assailants carrying rifles raided the camp located between Garin Jaji and neighbouring border communities. The victims, all male, were identified as Sabon Anaruwa, Idrisa Anaruwa, Lauwali Baba, Dahiru Musa, Danhajiya Lawal, Ibrahim Lawan, and Chali Dan Hajiya.

A joint rescue team led by the Nigeria Army with collaboration with the police, hunters and vigilante mobilized to the area. Two of the victims, Chali Dan Hajiya and Idrisa Anaruwa, were rescued in the bush bordering Garin Jaji and the Yankari Game Reserve.

The remaining five abductees were reportedly taken across to the Futuk area of Yankari Game Reserve. Authorities in Bauchi have been alerted for immediate follow-up and rescue operations. (Zagazola, but headline rejigged)