Troops involved in ongoing operations to clear bandits out of hard-to-reach locations in Chikun and Igabi Local Government Areas of Kaduna State have stumbled on 10 hostages chained and bound with ropes like wild animals by their abductors.
The hostages were discovered at a location known as ‘Daban Lawal Kwalba’ in Igabi LGA, after the troops overpowered heavily armed bandits guarding them, Kaduna Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said in a statement, yesterday.
Aruwan, who was giving update of the military operation against the bandits being conducted under Operation Forest Sanity in the two local governments, added that the troops subsequently unbound the hostages who were in very dire situation when they were found.
“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,” the commissioner said.
He identified the rescued hostages as Surajo Aliyu, Ayuba Yakubu, Ibrahim Abdulrasheed, Aliyu Mohammed, Magaji Tasiu, Nasiru Ahmed, Mohammadu lbrahim, Ayuba Abdulsalam, Kelvin Musa and Paul Patrick.
The Kaduna commissioner added that the troops also neutralized an unspecified number of bandits while clearing out insurgents at the camps while rifles, military uniforms and other items were recovered.
The statement read in full: “Troops of Operation Forest Sanity neutrised 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 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 ten 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 follows:SurajoAliyu; AyubaYakubu; Ibrahim Abdulrasheed; Aliyu Mohammed; MagajiTasiu; Nasiru Ahmed; Mohammadulbrahim; AyubaAbdulsalam; 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 RafinGwaska, 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.
“The Governor of Kaduna State, MalamNasirel-Rufa’i noted the report with satisfaction, and thanked the troops for the rescue of the ten citizens. The governor commended the troops for the relentless spirit displayed in the ongoing operations, and encouraged them to sustain these efforts to ultimate victory.
“Citizens are strongly advised not to harbour or provide medical aid to suspicious individuals carrying what may be gunshot wounds. Such cases are to be immediately reported to the Security Operations Room on the lines 09034000060 and 08170189999”.