Troops of “Operation Forest Sanity” have neutralised several bandits and dislodged many others from their camps in Kaduna State.

Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said troops rescued 10 kidnapped persons in two local government areas of the state.

Mr Aruwan said the bandits were dislodged or neutralised in Chikun and Igabi local government areas.

“Troops of ‘Operation Forest Sanity’ neutralised many bandits and dislodged their camps during clearance operations conducted across hard-to-reach locations in the two local government areas.

“As disclosed in an operational feedback, the troops neutralised an unspecified number of bandits while clearing out insurgents and bandits camps at Apewohe in Chikun Local Government Area,” he stated.

Mr Aruwan added that the operation extended to Dakwala and Kunai Hills in the same local government area, where more hideouts were cleared, though no contact was made with bandits.

He stated that another camp was dislodged at a location known as “Daban Lawal Kwalba” in the Igabi Local Government Area after the troops overpowered heavily armed bandits guarding hostages.

“The troops, after clearing out the bandits, stormed the hideouts and rescued 10 kidnapped persons who were chained and bound with ropes.”

The commissioner also explained that the troops came under attack in the thick forest but successfully evacuated the hostages to a military facility where they received medical attention before being reunited with their families.

A camp was cleared at Rafin Gwaska, also in the Igabi Local Government Area where three locally-made rifles and one AK-47 magazine were recovered.

Also recovered at the camp were one AK-47 rifle top cover, four radio chargers, 11 mobile phones, three music boxes, two sets of military uniforms, one jacket, spanners, knives and chains, Aruwan stated.

He added that Governor Nasir El-Rufai thanked the troops for rescuing the victims.

He commended the troops for the relentless spirit displayed in the ongoing operations and encouraged them to sustain the efforts to ultimate victory.

(NAN)