The troops of Operation Forest Sanity, Nigerian Army, have killed many bandits and dislodged camps during clearance operations conducted in Chikun and Igabi Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

The troops also rescued no fewer than 10 hostages in the LGAs.

This was disclosed via a statement issued on Tuesday by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.

According to the commissioner, the rescued hostages include Surajo Aliyu, Ayuba Yakubu, Ibrahim Abdulrasheed, Aliyu Mohammed, Magaji Tasiu, and Nasiru Ahmed.

Others are Mohammadu lbrahim, Ayuba Abdulsalam, Kelvin Musa, and Paul Patrick.

Aruwan stated: “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.

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“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 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.”

He added that a camp was cleared by the troops at Rafin Gwaska in Igabi Local Government Area of the state.

The commissioner noted that the items recovered from the bandits include three locally made rifles, one AK-47 magazine, one AK-47 top cover, four Bafoeng radio chargers, 11 mobile phones, two sets of military uniforms, among others.

“The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, 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,” Aruwan stated.

The Star