The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke and Safe Haven have arrested seven bandits, kidnappers and recovered arms and ammunitions in Kaduna, Nasarawa and Plateau States.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko, said the troops also neutralised one bandit and rescued two kidnapped civilians, Mr Ebuka Nnadi – 30 years and Mr Uchenna Edoga – 25 years from their abductors.
He said the troops on July 29, 2022 acting on credible intelligence engaged bandits in gun battle in Nasarawa State and later arrested Mr Danladi Selfa, 23, and Mr Usman Yau, 28, both with gunshot wounds at a private hospital.
The troops recovered one AK-47 Rifle, one Magazine with 13 rounds of 7.62mm Special, amongst others.
Relatedly, on the same day, he said troops following intelligence report, raided Kukyro village in Nasarawa local government area of Nasarawa State and and arrested Mr Moses Aindigh, a 27-year- old terrorist and alleged bandit collaborator.
He added that the troops also arrested Mr IIiyasu Mohammed, 37-year-old notorious kidnapper.
Furthermore, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN on August 3 and 4, 2022 based on actionable intelligence arrested three suspected notorious kidnappers; Mr Umar Zakari, Mr Usman Hamina and Mr Haruna Umaru at Fuskar Mata village of Bassa local government area of Kaduna State.
“The suspects confessed to have been involved in kidnapping activities in mentioned Local Government Areas,” he added.
The Director stated that troops on August 3 responded to a distress call from locals in Qua’anpan local government area of Plateau State and killed one bandi while others escaped with gunshots wounds.
He said the four kidnappers were in a hotel hideout attempting to move people away.
Items recovered include one AK47 rifle, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special, amongst other items.
He added that, relatedly, troops on August 2 while on patrol recovered 100 vandalised rail sleepers in an abandoned white Peugeot Boxer with Registration No AGL 466 XM at Bak village, Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State.
