The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have rescued 16 Islamic education pupils and a woman abducted by terrorists on March 9 in Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, in a statement, said the hostages were rescued by the military in collaboration with local authorities and government agencies in a coordinated search and rescue operation on Thursday, March 21, 2024.

Buba said the rescued hostages had been handed over to the Sokoto State Government for further action.

He added that the military has been extending all efforts and resources to find other abducted victims and track down the terrorists that perpetrated the abductions.

Bandits kidnap 15 Sokoto students

The defence spokesman said: “These efforts will continue until they are found and the terrorists arrested, tried, and brought to justice.

“The military will not rest until all kidnapped hostages are rescued.”

Buba disclosed that the troops were also deploying the same effort to arrest the culprits responsible for the killing of 18 soldiers in Okuama community in Delta State on March 14.

He added: “Indeed, to curb the freedom of action of terrorists and the perpetrators of insecurity across the country, the military has released a banner of wanted terrorists and their cohorts.

“The banners would be deployed in strategic areas across the country. The deployment of the banner is for ease of recognition and arrest of the wanted persons.

“The public is urged to cooperate and report.”

The Star