How 23 remaining Abuja – Kaduna hostages regained freedom – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Thursday said the 23 remaining hostages of Abuja – Kaduna train attack were released through non-kinetic operations of the military in collection with other security agencies.

Director, Defence Media Operation Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami stated this while responding to questions from journalists during the biweekly press briefing on update of military operations across the country from 22 September to 6 October 2022.

While refusing to give more details on how they were released, Maj-Gen Danmadami said, “Wanting to know detail is not the issue for now. The important thing is that these people have been held captive for six months and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in collaboration with other security agencies through the committee that was set up by the President and Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces Muhammadu Buhari secured their release.

“When it comes to operations we normally tell you there kinetic and non-kinetic operations. This is part of the non-kinetic operation that was conducted. We already know the trauma that the abductees and their family members went through. Giving you more details will subject them and their families to more trauma.”

Speaking on Operation HADIN KAI in the North East, he said troops rescued 2 Chibok girls by name, Yana Pogu and Rejoice Senki on serial 19 and 70 of the abducted Chibok girls lists with their children at Bula Davo village in Bama Local Government Area and Kawur village in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno state with 12 others abductees.

Maj.-Gen Danmadami also said troops conducted ambushes, clearance operations, fighting patrols and cordon and search as well as other operations at different locations in Biu, Damboa, kaga, Kukawa and Gubio Local Government Area all in Borno state.

According to him, during the operations troops arrested 29 Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province logistic suppliers.

He said a total of 418 suspected terrorists, who claimed to have lost interest in the ideology of Boko Haram surrendered to troops at different locations with their families comprising of 44 adults males, 135 adult females and 239 children.

General Danmadami also said troops arrested a suspected terrorists ammo technician at Gorom village in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State, with 300 empty cases of ammo suspected to be used for fabricating 7.62mm specials while 6 terrorists informant and collaborators including a foreigner were arrested at different locations.

Speaking further he said troops of Guards Brigade raided Karshi hill and surrounding villages in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory following intelligence on plans by hoodlums to disrupt the Independence Day Celebration.

“Consequently, troop arrested 64 youths in black attires armed with 9 locally made guns,” he said.