Army: 179 kidnap victims rescued in north-west in three weeks

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says 179 kidnap victims have been rescued by troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in the north-west.

According to NAN, Bernard Onyeuko, director of defence media operations, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on military activities in the last three weeks.

Onyeuko said the kidnapped victims were rescued in Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara states.

He said 50 of the victims — 32 women and 18 children — were rescued in Wanzamai, Tsafe LGA of Zamfara.

The defence spokesman said the troops also killed 62 terrorists and arrested 79 on April 10.

He said 50 motorcycles, 592 rustled cattle, and weapons and ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

“Troops also rescued 179 civilians, neutralised 62 terrorists and apprehended 100 terrorists,” he said.

“All recovered items, rescued and apprehended terrorists were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.”

Speaking on the incessant attacks in Southern Kaduna, Onyeuko said the army has engaged stakeholders in five LGAs on ways to tackle the security challenges in the area.

He added that over 517 small arms and light weapons were seized from criminals by troops of Operation Safe Haven and have been handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).