Troops of the Nigerian Army deployed in 1 Division area of responsibility in Kaduna State have rescued 16 kidnap victims in Kajuru local government area.
Also, troops of Combat Team 3 stationed at Maraban Maigora in Katsina State have rescued 10 women and six minors who were kidnapped by bandits on February 3, 2024.
A credible source said the victims were rescued on Monday during a routine patrol at the Rimi community after being held for 46 days.
The director of army public relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement said the troops rescued the abductees in Tantatu community of Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State on March 17, 2024 at about 10:30pm.
He said the troops while responding to actionable intelligence tracked the insurgents who had earlier attacked the community in numbers and abducted some of the villagers as hostages.
“On arriving at the scene of the incident, the troops tenaciously pursued the insurgents, engaging them in a ferocious exchange of fire and consequently rescuing 16 kidnapped victims,” he said.
Gen. Nwachukwu said the troops are still combing the bushes in continuation of the search and rescue operations.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, while commending the troops for the successful rescue of the kidnap victims further charged them to remain vigilant as they conduct ongoing counter insurgency operations to liberate all troubled areas in the country.
Sources in Katsina said the rescued victims were among the 54 women abducted on Gamji-Dandume Road in February.
However, the rescued women and children were handed over to the chairman of Sabuwa local government area, who reunited them with their families.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s chief press secretary, Ibrahim Muhammed Kaula, said the governor commended the troops for their bravery and decisive action.
He reassured the public of his administration’s unwavering commitment to eradicating banditry in the state.
“The rescue of these women and children is a testament to the courage and dedication of our security forces. We remain committed to providing them with the resources and support they need to ensure the safety of residents of the state,” the statement reads.
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