Ten kidnap victims have been rescued while several bandits were neutralised in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
In a statement on Tuesday, Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, the bandits were dislodged from their camps by troops of “Operation Forest Sanity”, during clearance operations conducted across some hard-to-reach locations, spanning Chikun and Igabi LGAs. Aruwan said, after the troops cleared out the bandits, they stormed their hideouts and rescued ten kidnapped persons who were chained and bound with ropes.
“Troops of Operation Forest Sanity neutrized several bandits and dislodged camps during clearance operations conducted across some hard-to-reach locations spanning Chikun and Igabi LGAs.
“As disclosed in an operational feedback, the troops neutralised an unspecified number of bandits while clearing out insurgent and bandit camps at Apewohe in Chikun LGA”, Aruwan said.
He said, “The operation extended to Dakwala and Kunai hills in the same LGA, where more hideouts were cleared, though no contact was made with bandits.”
He added that, “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 statement said further that 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 lbrahim, Ayuba Abdulsalam
Kelvin Musa and Paul Patrick.
The statement added that “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.
He said, a camp was cleared at Rafin Gwaska, Igabi LGA, where the following items were recovered, 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, spanners, knives and chains, among others.
Aruwan said, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, “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.”
The statement said, “citizens are strongly advised not to harbour or provide medical aid to suspicious individuals carrying what may be gunshot wounds.
“Such cases are to be immediately reported to the Security Operations Room on the lines 09034000060 and 08170189999.”
