A combined team of Nigerian Army Guards Brigade and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) have killed two bandits and rescued 30 kidnap victims during a raid on a kidnappers’ enclave in the general area of Idu, Chikara along the boundaries of Toto local government area of Nasarawa State and Abaji in FCT and Koton Karfe Kogi State.
A statement by the assistant director, Army Public Relations Guards Brigade, Captain Godfrey Abakpa, said the operation was carried out by the 177 Guards Battalion in conjunction with troops of Operation Wild Stroke and the CJTF as part of the Guards Brigade’s responsibility to ensure adequate security within its area of responsibility and to check kidnapping in the FCT and neighbouring states.
He said during the joint operation, the troops with subdued the bandits and neutralized two of them while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.
He said the troops also rescued 30 civilians who had been held captive by the bandits, adding however that a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force sustained a minor injury and is receiving proper medical care at a hospital.
He said the rescued civilians had since been profiled by the police division in Toto LGA while the state government has facilitated their safe reunion with their communities and families.
The troops also recovered one Rapid Propelled Grenade Tube and several military uniforms from the criminals.
“As the operations continue, troops of the brigade under command remain resolute and will continue to synergise with security agencies to rid the FCT and environs of all criminal elements,” he said.