Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have thwarted a kidnap attempt and rescued three victims unhurt in Chanchanji village of Takum local Government Area of Taraba State.
The incident occurred while troops deployed at Chanchangi community were conducting a routine patrol and picketing operation along the Takum–Chanchangi Road.
On approaching the Uko community axis, the vigilant troops made contact with suspected armed bandits who had already kidnapped three individuals traveling in a vehicle.
A statement issued by Captain Olubodunde Oni, who is the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, Nigeria Army, says that upon sighting the troops, the kidnappers hastily abandoned their captives and fled into the surrounding forest. The troops immediately launched a hot pursuit and engaged the criminals in a brief exchange of fire, forcing them to retreat further into the bush.
All three kidnapped victims were successfully rescued unhurt, including Alhaji Ali, the Sarki Pawa of Takum. The vehicle was also recovered at the scene of the incident.
However, the fleeing criminals managed to escape with the car key and two mobile phones belonging to the victims.
The Commander 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Kingsley Uwa, commended the troops for their swift and decisive action. He urged the general public to continue to support the military with credible information to aid in the ongoing fight against criminality.
Meanwhile, Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has condemned the attack on the Munga Lelau community in the Karim Lamido Local Government Area of the state, which led to the death of an unspecified number of persons.
Describing the carnage as horrendous and unacceptable, Governor Kefas said such occurrences only dragged the state backward instead of the progress it should be making.
Credit: channelstv.com
