Troops on Friday killed two bandits in Gwagwada and recovered a motorcycle and a local rifle, even as 39 students, 23 females and 16 males, from Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka Kaduna are still missing.
Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said in Kaduna on Saturday that the troops killed the two bandits in an ambush along the Gwagwada – Chikun road in Chikun local government area.
“Troops of Operation Thunder Strike neutralized two bandits during a night ambush operation along the Gwagwada-Chikun road in Chikun local government area. The troops set an opportunity ambush along the route in anticipation of bandits’ movement. The bandits approached on two motorcycles, and on springing the ambush, returned fire in an attempt to charge through.
“They were however overwhelmed, and two bandits were neutralized by the troops, while the others retreated with gunshot wounds. After the operation, the following items were recovered from the scene, along with the corpses of the bandits: one motorcycle, one locally made rifle, a mobile phone and some wraps of Indian hemp.
“Governor Nasir el-Rufai noted the report with thanks and congratulated the troops for the successful operation, while praising their pro-active disposition. Citizens are again urged to report any persons seeking medical attention for suspicious injuries in the general area, to the Kaduna state Security Operations Room, on the emergency lines 09034000060 and 08170189999,” he said.
Meanwhile, Aruwan has said that the number of students missing following the bandits attack on Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka Kaduna has risen from 30 to 39.
“Further checks in the wake of the attack on Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Igabi LGA indicate that 39 students are currently unaccounted for.
“The number of missing students is now confirmed to be 39, comprising 23 females and 16 males. In an earlier update, citizens were informed that troops rescued 180 persons following an attack by armed bandits on the College late Thursday night, with about 30 still missing.
“The Kaduna state government is maintaining close communication with the management of the College as efforts are sustained by security agencies towards the tracking of the missing students. Citizens will continue to be informed of further developments,” Aruwan added.
