From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja said its troops deployed for counter-terrorism operations in the North Central have successfully repelled a kidnap attempt and rescued two kidnap victims in Benue State.
The soldiers working in conjunction with volunteer guards also recovered one FN rifle, one FN rifle magazine, 17 AK-47 rifle magazines, 10 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, 58 rounds of 7.62 mm (NATO) ammunition and three ATM cards.
The army said the soldiers responding to a distress call from the enclave of the suspected kidnap gang in Tsede village, along Road Tor Donga Takum in Katsina Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, mobilised to the location where they engaged the kidnappers in a shootout, forcing them to retreat in disarray, abandoning their captives.
The rescued victims, identified as Chief Sano Kursi and Augustine Sada, were unharmed and have since been reunited with their families. The troops also recovered one FN rifle, one FN rifle magazine, 17 AK-47 rifle magazines, 10 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, 58 rounds of 7.62 mm (NATO) ammunition and three ATM cards.
This successful operation demonstrates the Nigerian army’s commitment to protecting lives and property in the region and also highlights the importance of collaboration between security forces and local communities in combating crime.