Troops raid bandits’ hideouts in Katsina, ‘rescue 18 kidnap victims’

Troops of the Nigerian Army (NA) have reportedly rescued 18 women during a raid on the hideouts of bandits in Katsina.

NAN reports that Oluremi Fadairo, 17 brigade commander of the Nigerian army in Katsina, said the operation was conducted on Wednesday.

Fadairo said the troops rescued the victims from Yan-Tumaki and Dan-Ali forests.

He said the troops engaged the bandits in a gun battle during the raid, adding that the victims have been handed to Nasir Mu’azu, state commissioner for internal security and home affairs.

He said the troops are prepared to work and  ensure peace is restored in the state, and urged them to sustain the tempo and rescue all kidnap victims in the state.

One of the victims identified as Firdausi Bishir, a 13-year-old girl and a junior secondary school student, said she was kidnapped from Sayaya and had spent 91 days in captivity.

The victims were kidnapped from Karaduwa, Sayaya, Dangani and Wawar-Kaza communities of Matazu, Musawa and Kankara LGAs of the state.

On his part, the commissioner commended the troops for their efforts, adding that the governor’s “investments in security have been yielding positive results”.

He asked people of the state to avoid night journeys and encouraged them to report useful information on the activities of bandits and kidnappers to the security agencies.

He urged bandits and kidnappers operating in the state to repent or face the consequences of their actions.

The commissioner presented N100,000 to each of the rescued victims on behalf of Dikko Radda, governor of the state.