Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed scores of bandits, rescued 10 hostages, and recovered weapons in Chikun and Igabi Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.
The State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who disclosed this on Tuesday, said troops neutralised the bandits while on clearance operations across the two LGAs.
He added that the troops, after clearing out the bandits, stormed hideouts and rescued 10 kidnapped persons who were chained and bound with ropes.
Aruwan gave the identity of the chained hostages as Surajo Aliyu, Ayuba Yakubu, Ibrahim Abdulrasheed, Aliyu Mohammed, Magaji Tasiu, Nasiru Ahmed, Mohammadu lbrahim, Ayuba Abdulsalam, Kelvin Musa and Paul Patrick.
The Commissioner said, “Troops of Operation Forest Sanity neutralised 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 neutralized 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 ten kidnapped persons who were chained and bound with ropes. The images attached depict the dire situation in which the hostages were found.”
According to the Commissioner, the troops also cleared a camp at Rafin Gwaska, Igabi LGA, where some weapons were recovered.
The items recovered by the troops, the Commissioner said are 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 , one frag jacket, Spanners, knives and chains.
The Commissioner said the operation excited the state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, where he was quoted to have commended the troops for rescuing the 10 hostages.
