June 18, (THEWILL)- Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued two teachers and five students of Federal Government College, Birnin Yawuri in Kebbi State abducted on Thursday.
However one of the female students was found dead.
The Army in a statement by the Director Army Public Relations Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the rescue followed an encounter with the abductors.
The statement disclosed that the troops are still on the trail of the fleeing bandits.
The statement said: “Nigerian Army troops operating under the auspices of Operation Hadarin Daji who have been on a hot pursuit of kidnappers and bandits following an unfortunate abduction incident in Federal Government College, Birnin Yawuri yesterday 17 June 2021 have so far, rescued two teachers and five students after a fierce exchange of fire with the criminals.
“The rescue followed an initial encounter with the abductors in the early hours of today 18 June 2021 after trailing the kidnappers from Yawuri through Riyao to Sombo community, where the kidnappers who had split into two groups fled, with one group conveying the abducted children , while the second group conveyed rustled cattle.”
It continued that, “The Land troops in conjunction with elements of the Nigerian Air Force, who provided close air support during the rescue mission intercepted the two groups at about 2.30 am and engaged them in a fire fight leading to the successful rescue of the teachers and students. The troops also recovered 800 cattle rustled by the bandits.
“The gallant troops are still on the heels of the kidnappers in order to rescue the remaining abductees still in captivity. Sadly, a casualty was recorded during the exchange. A female student was found to have given up the ghost as a result of exhaustion. The rescued teachers and students will be handed over to the Kebbi State Government.
“The Nigerian Army appreciates the cooperation so far from good spirited citizens and wish to solicit for more. The Chief of Army Staff Maj Gen Faruk Yahaya has directed the Commander to spare no effort until all the abducted persons are safely rescued and reunited with their loved ones.”
Meanwhile, Scores of armed bandits were on Thursday night killed while others were injured after security personnel with supports of volunteer-vigilantes raided their enclaves in forests and villages between Niger and Kebbi States.
According to PRNigeria, some leaders of the bandits were also arrested in the Thursday evening operation in their enclaves at Uddu, Rijau, Sabon Gari Ushe, and Warari communities.
The reinforcement officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Police Force with the supports of the local vigilantes in the pursuit of abductors led to the elimination of many bandits and their rustled cows at different routes.
It was gathered that the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) which detected the bandits’ enclaves, facilitated the smooth coordination of the troops’ operations.
“It was after the ISR mission that the combined troops stormed the forests with supports of large numbers of local vigilantes known as Yansakai. The bandits failed in their attempt to ward off the troop’s attack. Many of them were butchered, while many of others fled with serious injuries and wounds”, a military source said.
According to the source, it was the efforts of some retired military officers, who supplied discreet intelligence to the joint troops, that led to the neutralisation of many of the fleeing bandits mostly in Yauri and Zuru axis of Kebbi State.
He said: “For a while now, the ex-military officers have been providing information to various security agencies on bandits’ movements and activities in Yauri and Zuru towns. This has fostered inter-agency cooperation and aided the planning of operations against bandits as most of ‘Yankasai’ volunteers are retired soldiers and security personnel.
“The generals’ efforts have disorganized the bandits and their evil missions, hence they may now find it difficult to be moving in a battalion to attack communities.”
About the Author
