Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed some bandits, rescued 10 hostages and a soldier and recovered weapons in two Local Government Areas of Chikun and Igabi in Kaduna State.
The captives were found by Nigerian troops involved in ongoing operations to clear bandits out of the area
The troop rescued 10 kidnapped persons who were chained and bound with ropes.
The hostages were discovered at a location known as ‘Daban Lawal Kwalba’ in the Igabi council area after the troops overpowered heavily armed bandits guarding them, Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday.
Aruwan identified the rescued hostages as Surajo Aliyu, Ayuba Yakubu, Ibrahim Abdulrasheed, Aliyu Mohammed, Magaji Tasiu, Nasiru Ahmed, Mohammadu Ibrahim, Ayuba Abdulsalam, Kelvin Musa and Paul Patrick.
Aruwa said troops under Operation Forest Sanity in the two local governments subsequently freed the hostages.
He added that the troops also neutralised an unspecified number of bandits while clearing out insurgents at the camps.
Rifles, military uniforms and other items were recovered, the commissioner said.
“The troops who came under further attack in the thick forest successfully evacuated the hostages to a military facility where they are receiving medical attention before being reunited with their families.
“Troops of Operation Forest Sanity neutralized several bandits and dislodged camps during clearance operations conducted across some hard-to-reach locations spanning Chikun and Igabi LGAs.
“As disclosed in operational feedback, the troops neutralized an unspecified number of bandits while clearing out insurgent and bandit camps at Apewohe in Chikun LGA.
“The operation extended to Dakwala and Kunai hills in the same LGA, where more hideouts were cleared, though no contact was made with bandits.
“Another camp was similarly dislodged at a location known as ‘Daban Lawal Kwalba’ in Igabi LGA after the troops overpowered heavily armed bandits guarding hostages.
“The troops after clearing out the bandits stormed the hideouts and rescued ten kidnapped persons who were chained and bound with ropes. The images attached depict the dire situation in which the hostages were found.
“The troops untied the hostages, who were identified as follows: Surajo Aliyu, Ayuba Yakubu, Ibrahim Abdulrasheed, Aliyu Mohammed, Magaji Tasiu, Nasiru Ahmed, Mohammadu Ibrahim, Ayuba Abdulsalami, Kelvin Musa and Paul Patrick.
“The troops who came under further attack in the thick forest successfully evacuated the hostages to a military facility where they are receiving medical attention before being reunited with their families.
“Furthermore, a camp was cleared at Rafin Gwaska, Igabi LGA, where the following items were recovered, among other effects:
– Three locally-made rifles
– One AK-47 magazine
– One AK-47 top cover
– Four Bafoeng radio chargers
– Eleven mobile phones
– Three music boxes
– Two sets of military uniforms
– One frag jacket
– Spanners, knives and chains
“The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i noted the report with satisfaction and thanked the troops for the rescue of the ten citizens. The Governor commended the troops for the relentless spirit displayed in the ongoing operations, and encouraged them to sustain these efforts to ultimate victory,” he said.
