Troops of the 7 Guards Battalion, Guards Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued 19 kidnapped victims and neutralised a suspected terrorist during a coordinated security operation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the Headquarters Guards Brigade, Lieutenant Olawuyi Itunuoluwa, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
According to the statement, the operation was conducted around Gidan Dogo in the Bwari Area Council following credible intelligence on the whereabouts of terrorists responsible for the recent abduction of residents in the Byazhin area of Bwari.
The troops carried out the operation in collaboration with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes.
“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,” the statement said.
Security operatives recovered one AK-47 and a locally fabricated firearm during the operation.
“Additionally, all 19 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued and evacuated to safety,” the Army spokesman added.
The rescued victims are said to be currently receiving attention, while troops have returned to their Forward Operating Base in Bwari and are continuing patrols in the area to prevent further criminal activities.
Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya, commended the troops and other security agencies for their bravery and professionalism.
He reiterated the Brigade’s commitment to protecting residents of the Federal Capital Territory and safeguarding Abuja as the nation’s seat of power.
“The Guards 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,” the statement added.
Credit: channelstv.com
