Seven hostages including a pregnant woman adducted in the locality of Tcholere in the Mayo Ray division of the North region have been freed from captivity.

The ex-hostages were freed during an operations carried out by the 31st Motorised Infantry Battalion in the mountains of Tcholere.

The military officers that carried out the operation indicated that during routine air patrols, they identified a group of hostage takers hiding in the mountains. They immediately jumped into action to liberate the citizens who had been kidnapped.

One of the ex – hostages, 22 year old Aïssatou, has been taken to the Toubourou hospital for treatment after she raped by her kidnappers despite her state of pregnancy. The six other victims of adduction have returned to their respective families.

The divisional officer of Toubourou sub division saluted bravery of the soldiers and the courage of the victims who have been reunited with their families once again. He urged them to respect basic principles of security and report any suspicious individuals in their communities to competent authorities.

The soldiers also presented a war weapon and hundreds of munitions recovered during the operation that lead to the neutralization of one of the kidnappers.