TROOPS from Sector 4 of Operation Whirl Punch, part of the Nigerian Army, have successfully rescued 13 hostages from a kidnappers’ hideout in Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
In a statement by Samuel Aruwan, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, it was revealed that the troops acted on credible intelligence, which indicated that bandits were moving kidnapped victims around the Chigulu village area in Kachia LGA.
Upon receiving the information, the troops launched a rescue operation at the suspected bandits’ camp and engaged in a fierce firefight.
This forced the bandits to abandon the hostages and flee into the forest.
The rescued individuals included six men and seven women. The troops also destroyed the camp, recovering an AK-47 rifle, a locally made rifle, four AK-47 magazines, 87 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five mini solar panels, five mobile phones, and ₦192,220.
The statement further noted that the rescued hostages were taken to a military facility for medical evaluation and debriefing before being reunited with their families.
In response, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, expressed his gratitude for the operation, commending the swift action of the troops led by General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Whirl Punch (OPWP), Major General Mariyenso Saraso.
