Troops from the Nigerian Army’s One Mechanised Division stationed at Birnin Yero in Kaduna State’s Igabi Local Government Area recovered nine individuals kidnapped by bandits at Anguwan Maharba and Dandami villages inside the council area.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, troops on routine patrol in the General Area of Kanzaure received credible intelligence on the kidnapping of eleven civilians by bandits at Anguwan Maharba and Dandami villages on Monday.
He said in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force, the troops swiftly mobilized and laid ambush on the bandits’ crossing point on Friday 8 December 2023.
According to him, the troops overpowered the bandits in a gun battle and successfully rescued nine of the kidnapped victims, while some of the bandits escaped with gunshot wounds.
The army spokesman, however, announced that two of the kidnapped victims, Safiya Saidu and Saadatu Saidu were killed by the bandits before the arrival of the troops.
He gave the names of the rescued victims as Inusa Bala 45, Halima Gambo 36, Halima Saidu, 35; Ladi Musa, 35; Aisha Basiru, 30; Inusa Saidu, 22; Faiza Inusa, 10; Dahara Saidu, 10; and Shahid Inusa, 1 year and five months.
During the operation, the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 rifle magazine, and one locally made weapon from the bandits.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division and Force Commander Operation Whirl Punch Major General Valentine Okoro has commended the troops for their resilience and charged them not to relent in ensuring the peace and safety of citizens in the Division’s Area of responsibility.
Additionally, the GOC urged the residents of Kaduna State to continue availing troops and other security agencies with credible intelligence.