Three abducted victims were freed, and many bandits camps were destroyed by Operation Forest Sanity troops as they continued patrols in the areas of Chikun/Kachia/Kajuru LGs.
This information was provided in a statement made public in Kaduna by Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner of the Kaduna State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs.
According to information provided by the Commissioner, the Army fought the bandits near Kwanti, Chikun LGA of the state. The troops found four motorcycles that the bandits had left behind as they escaped into the jungle. The army destroyed all of the camps they could see.
The troops searched the area and discovered Muntaka Abubakar and Nwabueze John, two male kidnap victims. The bodies of two unnamed female victims who had been murdered by the bandits were also found. After first treatment was given to one of the recovered victims who was suffering from an injury, the corpses were removed and the rescued victims were reunited with their family.
The forces in the general Kuzo area saved 85-year-old Tabawa Laraba, another kidnapped victim. Before being reunited with her family, she underwent a physical and received a debriefing. The soldiers expanded their combat patrols to the Abrom, Gabachuwa, and Kujeni forest areas, which are located in the Kajuru, Chikun, and Kachia LGAs.
In a similar manner, bandits left their camps when they saw the advancing forces. The soldiers removed the camps and found two damaged AK-47 weapons, three cell phones, some military gear, and explosives-making supplies.
The Kaduna State Government sent heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims killed by the bandits and thanked and complimented the army for the successful operations and rescue of the victims.
The Kaduna State Government is pleading with residents to contact the Operations Room at 09034000060 and 08170189999 if they have any information on suspicious people who may be looking for medical care or refuge at these places. The bandits’ enclaves will nonetheless be the target of offensive operations.