By Joy Odor Abuja
The Troops of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have killed three suspected kidnappers and rescued two victims in separate operations in Delta State.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Iliyasu Bawa Rijau, said the first operation was carried out in Otulu Forest, Aniocha North Local Government Area, by troops of 63 Brigade/Sector 1 Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe, working with a tracker team from the Delta State Government House, Asaba.
Rijau explained that the troops had been on the trail of the kidnappers since last week following credible intelligence on their activities around Issele-Uku.
The suspects had collected ransom from some victims’ families before troops stormed their hideout.
“In the ensuing firefight which lasted about 30 minutes, three kidnappers were neutralised,” he said. Items recovered include one AK-47 rifle, a magazine, 52 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, a cutlass, four mobile phones, a charger, a power bank, a pack of cigarettes, and N2.3 million abandoned by the criminals.
A female victim was rescued during the operation, though she sustained injuries from her abductors before being freed.
One soldier also suffered a gunshot wound to the leg. Both have since been evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, where they are said to be in stable condition.
The remains of the suspects were handed over to the police at Keystone Division, Ogwashi-Uku.
In a separate operation, troops responded to a distress call on August 17 at Ekrodo-Jesse community, Ethiope West Local Government Area.
The intervention forced the kidnappers to abandon their victim, 25-year-old Saviour Okiemute, who was reunited with his family.
Though the suspects fled into the forest and evaded capture after a six-kilometre pursuit, a cordon-and-search operation led to the recovery of an unserviceable dane gun.
The Commander, 63 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 1 Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe, Brigadier General M.A. Shonibare, commended the troops for their bravery.
He reassured residents that the military remains committed to rooting out criminal elements and ensuring lasting peace and security across Delta State.
