TWO terrorists have been killed in Katsina area, while 35 kidnapping victims have been rescued during military operations in the northwestern area.
The rescue on January 27 was made possible by forces from the Joint Task Force North West Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) in Katsina.
Captain Yahaya Ibrahim, spokesman for Operation Hadarin Daji, confirmed this in a statement released today. He added that several other terrorists fled with gunshot wounds.
“During the operation troops had an encounter with the armed terrorists, neutralizing two of the terrorists while others escaped with severe gunshot wounds,” the statement read.
“In continuation with the series of simultaneous well-coordinated clearance operations in its Areas of Operational Responsibilities in the North-West which has continued to yield tremendous successes.Troops of the Joint Task Force North-West Operation HADARIN DAJI (OPHD) operating in Katsina state have rescued 35 kidnapped victims and neutralized two terrorists in Katsina state in a search and rescue operation”.
He said they were immediately handed over to the Katsina State Government by Commander 17 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 2 Operation HADARIN DAJI, Brigadier General Oluremi Fadairo, noting that the rescued victims include 19 adults, 12 females, and four children.
Fadairo, on his part, guaranteed that the military will continue to attack terrorist sanctuaries.
Katsina is one of the northwestern states plagued by banditry. Others include Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Sokoto.
Despite efforts by state governments and security services, the bandits have continued to kill people at will, abduct many for ransom, and wreak havoc on vulnerable areas.
Heavy-armed gangs known as bandits terrorise villages, particularly in the northwest states, plundering and kidnapping for ransom.
Rural communities frequently create self-defense vigilante organisations to protect themselves from raids.
President Bola Tinubu has stated that enhancing security is a top goal as he strives to increase foreign investment in Africa’s most populous and largest economy.
