POLICEMAN AND 16 OTHERS ARE FREED BY TROOPS IN KEBBI.

Babatunji Wusu –

17 abducted victims, including a policeman, have been rescued by the Joint Task Force North West Operation HADARIN DAJI Quick Response Force (QRF) deployed in Malekachi in Kebbi state. Terrorists have also been forced to surrender operational motorcycles.

This information is found in a statement released on Friday and signed by Capt. Yahaya Ibrahim, Force Information Officer, Operation Hadarin Daji.

The rescue effort was carried out in response to a distress call in the early hours of October 12, the statement claims.

According to solid intelligence provided to troops by Capt. Ibrahim, terrorists kidnapped an undefined number of people in Kebbi state’s Kanya village’s Danko-Wasagu LGA and were attempting to cross with the hostages into Niger state.

“Troops quickly mobilized and set up ambushes at the suspected terrorist crossing points and routes in Karenbana hamlet.

“Thereafter, troops’ superior firepower caused the terrorists to flee with gunshot wounds, resulting in the rescue of 17 kidnapped captives.

The statement said, in part, “The rescued victims comprised 6 females and 11 males, including a police personnel who were kidnapped at Danko- Wasagu.”

According to Capt. Ibrahim, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Bena received the rescued victims so that they could be reunited with their family.

He continued by saying that five burned motorcycles had been found by the army.

Major General Godwin Mutkut, the commander of Joint Task Force North West Operation HADARIN DAJI, praised the troops for their prompt response but urged them to go farther and continue to deny the terrorists any freedom of movement.

He also praised the public for their prompt information that helped in the victims’ rescue.

He asked them to be more watchful and to alert the military as soon as they became aware of any terrorist activity taking place within their neighborhoods.