In a series of operations aimed at combatting insecurity, troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully neutralized four bandits and rescued 20 kidnapped individuals in Kaduna State.
These operations were conducted across Birnin Gwari and Giwa Local Government Areas under the auspices of Operation Forest Sanity and Operation Whirl Punch.
Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, reported the details on Tuesday. The first operation took place in Alawa, Birnin Gwari, where troops set up a blocking force and intercepted bandits on the move near Kwaga. In the ensuing engagement, two bandits were neutralized, and a cache of weapons and equipment was recovered, including two AK-47 rifles, three magazines, three motorcycles, and a Baofeng radio.
In a separate mission, troops responding to a distress call along the Kwaga-Polewire Road intercepted bandits who had recently kidnapped locals near Polewire village. The bandits fled the scene, allowing the troops to rescue 20 individuals, who were subsequently reunited with their families. Governor Uba Sani expressed his satisfaction with the operations, commending the security forces for their dedication and bravery. He urged the troops to maintain their momentum in the fight against banditry and insurgency in the region.
Meanwhile, in Plateau State, troops of Operation Safe Haven arrested five individuals, including a woman, suspected of being involved in gunrunning activities. This operation took place in the Jos North Local Government Area, specifically in the Bauchi Road community, following intelligence reports that led to a raid on their hideout. The suspects were promptly transported to the headquarters of the Special Task Force in Jos, where they were paraded alongside the arms and ammunition seized during the operation.
Spokesman for the Special Task Force Maj. Samson Zhakom noted that the suspects were undergoing interrogation to gather intelligence aimed at dismantling their syndicate and disrupting the illegal arms supply chain. The operation, which unfolded from midnight on September 16 to the early hours of September 17, targeted a gunrunner identified as Mohammed Sani in the Naraguta Mining Area.
These coordinated efforts by the Nigerian Army and the Special Task Force highlight ongoing initiatives to enhance security, restore peace, and ensure the safety of citizens in affected regions.
