By Sabiu Abdullahi
Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed a suspected kidnapper and rescued 19 people who were abducted in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The operation took place around Gidan Dogo after security forces received intelligence about the hideout of suspected terrorists linked to the recent abduction of residents in the Byazhin area of Bwari.
Captain Olawuyi Itunuoluwa, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the Headquarters Guards Brigade, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday. He said soldiers carried out the mission with support from personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes.
“The operation was launched following credible intelligence on the whereabouts of terrorists responsible for the recent abduction of residents from the Byazhin area of Bwari,” Itunuoluwa said.
According to him, troops confronted the suspects during the operation. The encounter led to an exchange of gunfire.
“During the operation, troops made contact with the bandits, leading to a firefight in which one of the criminals was neutralised, while others fled the scene with suspected gunshot wounds,” he said.
He stated that security personnel later searched the area and recovered weapons. All the kidnapped victims were also rescued during the operation.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and one locally fabricated firearm. Additionally, all 19 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued and evacuated to safety,” he added.
The army spokesman said the troops have returned to their base in Bwari. He noted that the rescued victims are currently receiving care.
Itunuoluwa also said the Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya, praised the troops and other security operatives who participated in the mission.
“The brigade will continue to intensify operations in collaboration with other security agencies to rid the territory and its environs of terrorism, kidnapping, and other criminal activities,” he said.
Onasanya also reaffirmed the brigade’s commitment to protecting residents of the Federal Capital Territory and ensuring the security of Abuja as the nation’s capital.
