Troops rescue 23 victims, arrest bandits’ collaborator in Katsina

Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have rescued 23 kidnapped victims comprising 18 women and five children in Katsina State, the Defence Headquarters ha s said.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Wednesday, said the rescue operation took place on Tuesday at Wurma Village in Kurfi Local Government Area of the state.
Enenche said the troop also recovered 75 rustled livestock during the operation.
He said troops in conjunction with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force swiftly mobilised to the location following credible information on the bandits activities in the village.
According to him, the troops engaged the bandits who had kidnapped some locals and rustled some livestock from Kwayawa Village in Safana Local Government Area.
“With superior firepower and support by Nigerian Air Force helicopter gunship, the armed bandits were forced to abandon the kidnapped victims.
“Consequently, troops rescued 18 women and five children as well as recovered 75 rustled livestock.
“During the encounter, troops also arrested one informant of the bandits named, Mohammed Saleh along with some arms and ammunition.
“The rescued kidnapped victims have been successfully reunited with their families and the recovered livestock handed over to the owners.
“The arrested bandits’ informant has been handed over to appropriate prosecuting agency for further action,” he said.