Army Rescues 28 Kidnap Victims in Katsina, Zamfara, Arrests Pipeline Vandals in Rivers

BY TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU

Nigerian Army troops have rescued 28 kidnapped victims in Katsina and Zamfara states, arrested three suspected pipeline vandals in Rivers and killed two suspected criminals in Bauchi State during separate security operations across the country.

The military disclosed the developments in an operational report detailing activities across several theatres between Thursday and Friday. The report was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.

According to the report, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued 27 people abducted by suspected terrorists in Gamji community, Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, at about 12:25 a.m. on Friday.

The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the community leader, Alhaji Falalu Suleiman, for further action.

In neighbouring Zamfara State, troops responding to an attack on farmers in Dutsen Maru community, Maru Local Government Area, forced the suspected assailants to flee, abandoning one of their kidnapped victims.

The troops rescued the victim and recovered three motorcycles and a donkey during the operation, according to the report.

Meanwhile, in Rivers State, troops of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, arrested three suspects over the alleged vandalisation and removal of pipelines belonging to the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company along the Bonny export line serving the Port Harcourt refinery.

The operation was conducted on Thursday in Okochiri community, Okrika Local Government Area.

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Items recovered from the suspects included 210 pieces of vandalised pipes, 12 boats, five motorcycles, six batteries, a generator, a fire extinguisher and two heavy-duty metal-cutting machines.

The report said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the suspected buyer of the vandalised materials.

In Bauchi State, troops of Operation MESA reportedly acted on intelligence concerning ransom payments to kidnappers, engaging and neutralising two suspected criminals in Ningi Local Government Area.

In a separate operation, soldiers arrested a herder and his son over an alleged killing in Jimpi village, Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area.

The security operations also recorded developments in Plateau State, where troops of Operation Enduring Peace recovered the body of a civilian who had been kidnapped on October 14 in Gwol-Hoss community, Riyom Local Government Area.

The report said the decomposing body was discovered along the Gwol-Hoss-Makera Road on Friday before family members evacuated it for burial.

In another incident, troops responding to an attack on illegal miners at the Makale mining site in Bokkos Local Government Area discovered two bodies after the suspected attackers fled upon sighting the soldiers.

The military said efforts were continuing to identify and apprehend those responsible for both incidents.

Back in Katsina State, troops of the 17 Brigade engaged armed terrorists riding motorcycles in Kurba village, Kankara Local Government Area, forcing them to abandon one motorcycle as they fled.

The Army said the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to rescue abducted persons, combat violent crime, protect critical infrastructure and improve security across the country.