Troops rescue 6 victims from kidnappers after gun-battle in Kaduna

By Mohammad Tijjani

Nigerian troops have rescued six kidnapped victims as part of a wider, coordinated series of operations across multiple axes within Chikun, Kajuru, Kachia and Kagarko Local Government Areas, including the fringes of Kauru border communities of Kaduna State.

The troops operating under sector 1 Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY)rescued the kidnapped victims in an operation conducted on Monday Lt.-Col. Shuaib Umar, the acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Officer, 1 Division Nigerian Army, disclosed on Tuesday in Kaduna.

He said the operations were deliberately designed to further suffocate the freedom of action of violent extremists within the Joint Operations Area (JOA) and, by implication, the wider Sector 1 OPFY JOA.

He said the rescue effort followed alert about the activities of the kidnappers and gun-battle with the kidnappers who were forced to flee.

“Following a distress alert on the activities of violent extremists around the Kasso adjoining hills, troops of Sub-Sector 5, who were already conducting clearance operations in the Kujeni general area, swiftly mobilised to the location.

“On arrival, troops made contact with the criminals and engaged them with effective suppressive fire, forcing them to flee in disarray into the surrounding forest.

“The gallant troops immediately exploited the area, leading to the successful rescue of six kidnapped victims, “he said

Umar said the rescued victims were safely handed over to the representatives of Kajuru Local Government Area and the Kajuru Emirate Council for onward reunification with their families.

He said the General Officer Commanding/Commander Sector 1 Operation Fansan Yamma, Maj.- Gen. Abubakar Wase, had commended the troops

He said he charged them to remain on maximum alert and continue to sustain the aggressive tempo to deny criminal elements freedom of action within the Joint Operations Area.

(NÀN)