The troops of Operation Thunder Strike (OTS) have rescued nine persons kidnapped along Abuja-Kaduna highway on Sunday.
Reports filtered into Abuja, Nigeria’s capital Sunday evening that kidnappers blocked the Abuja-Kaduna highway at about 4 pm, shot sporadically and abducted nine passengers from a commercial bus.
Samuel Aruwa, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, said in a statement on Monday in Kaduna that the OTS on routine patrol along Akilubu-Gidan Busa axis of the Kaduna-Abuja road received a distress call indicating that terrorists had stormed the highway.
“The bandits opened fire on a bus, forcing the driver to halt,” Aruwan said.
He explained further that the State Government received operational feedback that the victims were rescued by the troops.
“On getting to the location, they realised that bandits had already kidnapped nine persons from an 18-seater bus with registration No. Kaduna: MKA-151,” he added.
The troops, Aruwan said, overpowered the terrorists after a firefight engagement and rescued the victims, adding, “Regrettably, the driver and a passenger seated close to him lost their lives.”
“The Kaduna State Government wishes to send its condolence to their families and pray for God to grant them eternal rest,” he said.
Aruwan assured that the Kaduna State Government would continue to work hard, in collaboration with the Federal Government to improve the security situation on the road by working with state governments in the Northwest and the Northcentral.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters has said that troops of ‘Operation Accord’ have arrested 10 bandits with 88 rustled livestock and neutralised two terrorists.
John Enenche, a Major General and Coordinator, Defence Media Operations disclosed in a statement on Monday that the troops also rescued kidnapped victims in the operations that took place in Katsina and Zamfara states.
Enenche added that the troops also recovered three AK47 rifles during the operations.
He explained that the troops had on November 15, engaged a group of terrorists in a firefight during a night patrol at Yar Tasha village in Katsina State, killing three and injuring many others.
The Defence Media Operations spokesperson further stated that the terrorists who were apprehended with the rustled livestock along Katsina-Jibia road were interrogated and claimed they were migrating from Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State to Niger Republic.
“The suspects were arrested with 88 cows and an unconfirmed number of sheep and are currently in custody undergoing further investigation,” Enenche said in the statement.
According to him, troops deployed at Ungwan Doka on Sunday, November 15 rescued one Adamu Yahaya, who was earlier kidnapped at Unguwar Sa’ida village in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He stated that the troops have continued to dominate the general area with patrols to provide security for locals and deny bandits freedom of action.
“The Military High Command commends the gallant troops for their professionalism and encourages them to intensify the onslaught against criminal elements in the country,” Enenche said.
Support Our Journalism
There are millions of ordinary people affected by conflict in Africa whose stories are missing in the mainstream media. HumAngle is determined to tell those challenging and under-reported stories, hoping that the people impacted by these conflicts will find the safety and security they deserve.
To ensure that we continue to provide public service coverage, we have a small favour to ask you. We want you to be part of our journalistic endeavour by contributing a token to us.
Your donation will further promote a robust, free, and independent media.
Donate Here
