By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 15 kidnapped victims and arrested two suspected kidnappers in separate operations across Edo, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi and Plateau.

The operations were conducted on Oct. 1 and 2, according to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

In Edo, the report said the troops of 195 Battalion, responding to a kidnap incident along the Ekor-Ikakumo road in Akoko-Edo, rescued three victims.

It said the troops exploited the kidnappers’ withdrawal route and rescued the victims, including the driver of a passenger bus travelling from Makurdi to Ibadan.

In Kaduna, the report said the troops of Sector 7, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), foiled a kidnap attempt along the Godogodo-Gidan Waya road in Jema’a Local Government Area.

It added that the intervention forced the kidnappers to abandon a victim who sustained gunshot wounds and flee.

According to the report, the victim was evacuated to the General Hospital, Gidan Waya, for treatment, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing criminals.

“In another operation, troops of the same sector arrested two suspected kidnappers at Makasa Village in Sanga Local Government Area.

“Meanwhile, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) rescued six kidnapped victims in separate operations in Benue and Kogi.

“In Katsina-Ala, Benue, troops responded to kidnapping activities at Gbise, forcing the criminals to flee and abandon three victims,” it said.

The report further revealed that troops operating in conjunction with vigilantes rescued three kidnapped herders at Agbadu Bunu, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi.

It added that the criminals fled following the troops’ intervention, abandoning the victims and 21 cattle, which were also recovered.

In Rivers, the report said the troops of 16 Brigade, in conjunction with 5 Battalion, discovered 60 sacks containing about 3,000 litres of illegally refined products and a drum at Ogbogolo Community, Ahoada West Local Government Area.

According to the report, the recovered items were handled in line with extant regulations. (NAN)

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