The troops of Sector 4 Operation Whirl Punch have rescued 13 hostages from a kidnappers’ den in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Mr Samuel Aruwan, the overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, disclosed this in a statement issued in Kaduna.
“According to operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government, the troops responded to credible human intelligence of bandits moving kidnapped victims in the general area of Chigulu village, Kachia LGA,” the statement read.
“The troops arrived at the location and made contact with the bandits. An intense gun battle ensued at the base of a high ground in the area.
“The bandits were subdued and fled into the dense forest, abandoning their hostages.
“The security forces went on to rescue the 13 hostages, comprising six men and seven women, from the hideout.
“Some items recovered included, one AK-47 rifle, one locally made rifle, four AK-47 magazines , 87 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition , five mini solar panels, five mobile phones and N192,220 in cash.”
Aruwan added that the rescued victims were conveyed to a military facility for examination and debriefing, before being reunited with their families.
The commissioner also stated that the state governor, Uba Sani, expressed his happiness at the report and praised the swift response of the troops, led by the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division Nigerian Army/Commander Operation Whirl Punch (OPWP), Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso.
