Troops have rescued four kidnap victims and arrested six suspected bandits in two separate operations in the ongoing onslaught against terrorists and kidnappers in Kaduna state.
Samuel Aruwan the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Kaduna.
Aruwan said the four kidnap victims were abducted along the Zaria-Kano Road.
He said in yet another operation in Chikun Local Government Area of the state, troops cleared the camp of a notorious bandit, Lawal Kwalba, arresteing four suspected bandits.
He said the kidnap victims wich include a 10 month old baby were rescued by troops conducting patrols around Ungwan Namama, along the Zaria-Kano road.
“The troops came in contact with migrating bandits in the area and engaged them, forcing them to abandon their three captives as they hastily escaped.
“Those rescued were identified as Abdullahi Lawal, Sadiya Salimanu, Fatima Salimanu and Sadiya’s 10-month-old child,” Aruwan said.
He added that investigations revealed that the captives were kidnapped in a neighbouring state.
Aruwan said nine rustled animals, comprising one cow and eight sheep were recovered from the criminals.
The commissioner said the rescued persons had been reunited with their families, while the recovered animals were handed over to local authorities for proper identification and retrieval.
In the operations in Chikun forest, commissioner disclosed said the troops cleared the camp of a notorious bandit, Lawal Kwalba, arresting six suspects.
According to the statement, “The troops cleared the camp of a notorious bandit, Lawal Kwalba, in Rafin Dawa in the Dende general area of Chikun local government.
“According to the operational feedback, the troops of Operation Forest Sanity conducted a patrol to the location following actionable intelligence.
“The troops after clearing the camp recovered some batteries and 27 bags of fertilizer. These materials indicate likely plans to manufacture Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), considering the bandits’ close alliance with terrorists.
“Furthermore, one motorcycle and two mobile phones were recovered as the bandits took to their heels before the troops’ arrival.
“The troops extended the search a short distance from the camp, and made some arrests. Investigations are ongoing on the intercepted suspects.
“The Kaduna State Government received the report with satisfaction, and praised the sustained efforts by officers and men carrying out the operations.”
