Messi’s hat-trick vaulted him alongside Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the top scorer in the tournament’s history with 16 goals.
Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group J football match between Argentina and Algeria at the Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City on June 16, 2026. (Photo by Roberto SCHMIDT / AFP)
Lionel Messi savoured a “beautiful moment” after becoming the World Cup’s joint all-time leading goalscorer on Tuesday, but said, “ultimately, it is just a statistic, nothing more”.
It said that the victims, aged 36 to 68, were rescued during ongoing operations targeting a suspected notorious bandit leader, one Kachalla Muhammadu Fulani, and members of his criminal gang.
The government explained that they regained their freedom during sustained military offensives in locations believed to be hideouts of the bandits.
The victims were said to have received immediate medical attention for gunshot wounds sustained while in captivity.
The latest breakthrough comes weeks after security forces rescued the wife of the late Major General Rabe Abubakar.
The newly rescued victims were among those previously seen in a photograph alongside the late military officer during their captivity.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, commended the courage, professionalism, and dedication of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies involved in the operation.
He said the success underscores the determination of security forces to dismantle criminal networks responsible for banditry and kidnapping across the state.
Mu’azu assured residents that security operatives remain on the trail of the notorious bandit leader and other criminal elements, stressing that ongoing operations will continue until those responsible for terrorising innocent citizens are apprehended and brought to justice.
The commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda to safeguard lives and property, noting that the state government will continue to collaborate closely with security agencies to deny criminals any safe haven within Katsina State.
