Troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army on Thursday rescued 30 travellers who were kidnapped in Manini Village along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road and escorted them to Udawa and Birnin Gwari respectively, while dislodging the bandits.
A statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Lt. Colonel Musa Yahaya, on Thursday, said the troops engaged the bandits and overpowered them forcing them to run into the forest, while clearing the road abs ensuring free flow of traffic.
“A fighting patrol from 1 Div today Thursday 2 February 2023 had a meeting engagement with armed bandits kidnapping commuters at Manini village along Kaduna – Birnin Gwari road.
“The troops, who where escorting the the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Maj. Gen. SE Udonwa, who was on operational visits to Operation Whirl Punch Headquarters in Birnin Gwari, engaged the bandits and overpowered them forcing the criminal element to withdraw in disarray.
“The gallant troops rescued 30 kidnapped victims, recovered 2 motorcycles and immediately cleared the highway for free flow of vehicular traffic. The rescued victims were escorted to Udawa and Birnin Gwari to continue their journey.
“The Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Maj. Gen. SE Udonwa, has commended the troops for their professionalism and resilience,” Lt. Col. Yahaya said.
