Over a dozen hostages escape as military pounds bandits in Kaduna forests

Kaduna state Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, has announced 11 of the hostages held in Sabon Birni , Igabi LGA,forests made it out alive after the military hit the criminals hard.

According to him, ongoing security operations dislodged many of the bandits’ camps, leaving them in disarray and enabling the escape of the hostages being held there.

The 11 hostages were among those kidnapped from Dumbin Rauga, Zaria Local Government Area of the state and others also along the Kaduna-Zaria Highway.

The Commissioner gave the names of escapees alongside their children with ages between seven and 10 years to include Fatima Sani, Aisha Falalu, Amina Aliyu, Hadizatu Sani, and Bashar Falalu.

Others, whom he said were travellers from Maiduguri to Ilorin but abducted along the Kaduna-Zaria Road, are
Fatima Umar, Zara Umar (and her infant), Hadiza Madu Sharif, Hauwa Ali, Zara Madu Sharif and Maryam Madu.

“It was reported that the families of those kidnapped at Dumbin Rauga had collectively paid a ransom of Three Million Naira, but the bandits reneged on the agreement to release the captives, insisting that two motorcycles must be included in the ransom deal.

“The escapees were recovered by the troops and have since been reunited with their families,” he added.

Aruwan also said troops of Operation Safe Haven have rescued two kidnapped victims – Barira Sulaiman Inusa and Isah Musa, around Kirti Village of Jema’a Local Government Area of the state.

“They have also been reunited with their families,” he said.

Aruwan added that the troops also rescued one Mrs. Chioma Amanda Silver, in Ungwan Sarki Goza Village, Mariri in Lere LGA of the state, saying that “she had been abducted by bandits who abandoned her on sighting the troops.”

Gov Malam Nasir El-Rufai praised the military on the ongoing onslaught on bandits across the state.

“He(governor) also commended the swift response of the troops to rescue the kidnapped citizens in Jema’a and Lere LGAs.

“The Governor sent his prayers and best wishes to all the former hostages as they rejoined their families,” he added.