Troop rescues hostages chained like wild animals inside forest

Nigerian troops have rescued 10 hostages chained and bound with ropes like wild animals by their abductors inside a forest in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

In a statement on Tuesday by Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, the troops have rescued the hostages and have them transported to hospital because of their condition.

 “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.

READ ALSO: Bandits, villagers killed in deadly confrontation; Bagudu hails heroes

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.

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 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 Rafin Gwaska, 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 Baofeng radio chargers; Eleven mobile phones; Three music boxes; Two sets of military uniforms; One frag jacket and spanners, knives and chains

The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-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.