Nigerian army rescue 10 hostages, kill bandits in Kaduna community

KADUNA—Troops of Operation Forest Sanity have killed many bandits and dislodged camps during clearance operations conducted across some hard-to-reach locations spanning Chikun and Igabi Local Government Areas in Kaduna State.

Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna State, said 10 hostages were rescued during the operation. 

The commissioner said: “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.

“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 10 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 Surajo Aliyu, Ayuba Yakubu, Ibrahim Abdulrasheed, Aliyu Mohammed, Magaji Tasiu, Nasiru Ahmed, Mohammadu lbrahim, Ayuba Abdulsalam, 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, 11 mobile phones, three music boxes, two sets of military uniforms, one frag jacket, Spanners, knives and chains.