Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division Garrison have rescued 14 kidnapped victims and recovered 281 rustled livestock during a successful operation against bandits in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
A security source disclosed that the operation followed a swift response to a distress call after armed bandits attacked Horo Birni Village on Tuesday, abducting several residents and making away with livestock.
According to the source, troops intercepted the bandits while they were moving the kidnapped victims and stolen animals, forcing the criminals to abandon their captives and flee the scene.
The operation resulted in the safe rescue of all 14 victims and the recovery of 281 livestock.
The source attributed the success of the mission to the prompt response of the troops and effective collaboration among security agencies.
“The troops are always battle-ready to tackle all forms of criminality in the country but need sustained community support and vigilance,” the source said.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation, operatives of the Enugu State Police Command rescued four kidnap victims during coordinated operations carried out in Enugu and neighbouring Benue State.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the operations involved police personnel, the Nigerian Army, Enugu State Forest Guards, neighbourhood watch groups, vigilantes and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
According to him, one of the operations led to the rescue of two brothers who were abducted in Ezimo-Ulo, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Security operatives tracked the kidnappers to Ikele in Owukpa Community, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, where a gun battle forced the suspects to flee with suspected gunshot wounds, allowing the victims to regain their freedom.
During the operation, security personnel recovered 15 rounds of live ammunition, the victims’ Android phones, car keys, other mobile phones, substances suspected to be hard drugs, clothing items and ₦11,800 from the kidnappers’ hideout.
The rescued victims were later reunited with their families.
In another operation, security operatives rescued two additional kidnap victims who were abducted at Amukpa Village in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
However, police confirmed that another victim lost his life while in captivity. His decomposing body was later recovered from a forest, where investigators believe he died from gunshot wounds inflicted by the kidnappers.
Ndukwe said investigations are ongoing as security agencies intensify efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects involved in the attacks.
