Police, Army Rescue 4 Kidnap Victims In Katsina

Police in Katsina State have rescued four kidnap victims in Dandume Local Government Area on Saturday in collaboration with the military. Police spokesman in the state, ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, stated in Katsina on Saturday that the rescue was achieved during a routine patrol around Dankolo village. “In a bid to ensure the safety of lives and property police, in collaboration with troops, rescued four persons kidnapped at different locations in the state. “The relentless efforts and dedication of our security forces paid off, resulting in the rescue,’’ ASP Sadiq-Aliyu stated. He added that the victims had undergone medical examinations to ensure their well-being, and had been reunited with their families.

Joint Security Force Busts Insurgents Camp, Rescue Priest, Two Others Unharmed

Joint security forces in Anambra State have successfully infiltrated an ‘insurgent camp’ located in Ogbunka, Orumba South Local Government Area, on Friday. Their swift action resulted in the rescue of three abducted individuals, including a Reverend Father, who emerged from the operation unharmed. According to a statement released on Saturday by DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra State, the operation was executed by a police-led Forward Operating Base (FOB) working in collaboration with military and paramilitary services based in Aguata, and was further supported by the Police Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu. During this well-coordinated operation, three suspects were apprehended. The security forces successfully recovered a cache of items from the insurgents’ camp, including nine vehicles, three pump-action guns, stolen camouflage uniforms, a Biafra flag, numerous handsets, flash drives, and SIM cards that will be vital for comprehensive investigations and prosecution. DSP Ikenga explained that this criminal gang had been responsible for a series of abductions in the Orumba North and South areas, as well as parts of Aguata Local Government Area in recent times. Notably, all of the abducted victims had been taken this month. The raid on the insurgent’s camp was the result of months of diligent intelligence gathering and investigation, which ultimately unveiled the criminals’ hideout. The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, who authorized and coordinated the operation, praised all the service personnel and vigilante groups involved for their professionalism, which ensured no lives were lost during the operation. Furthermore, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has expressed his commendation for the operatives and pledged continued support for all services engaged in Joint Security Operations throughout the state.” See Full Statement Below:  Anambra Joint Security Force Smash Insurgents Camp in Ogbunka – Rescues three hostages including Reverend Father. – Arrests three Suspects – Recovers Three Pump Action Guns – Recovers Nine Vehicles snatched at Gunpoint Police-led Forward Operating Base (FOB) comprising military and paramilitary Services based in Aguata and supported by Police Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu yesterday, 6th October, 2023 in a well coordinated operation, stormed insurgents Camp at Ogbunka in Orumba South LGA. Three abducted persons including a Reverend Father were rescued unhurt. Nine vehicles and three Pump Action Guns were recovered. Three suspects were arrested. Also recovered were stolen Camouflage uniform, Biafra Flag, Several Handsets, Flash Drives and Sim Cards that will aid comprehensive investigation and prosecution. This gang has been responsible for spate of abductions in Orumba North and South as well as parts of Aguata LGAs in recent times. The abducted victims were all kidnapped this month. The raid on insurgents Camp followed months of diligent and painstaking intelligence gathering and investigation which led to uncovering the criminal hideout. Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye who ordered and coordinated the operation praised all the service personnel and vigilante men involved for their professionalism which ensured no life was lost. Mr. Governor has commended the Operatives and pledged to continue to support all services involved in Joint Security Operations across the State. *DSP Tochukwu Ikenga* Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Police Command, Awka. 7th October, 2023.

Troops rescue kidnapped victim in Enugu

The troops of 103 Battalion (Rear) of 82 Division, Nigerian Army, presently on Operation UDOKA II had rescued Dr Maxwell Ayim from suspected kidnappers between Four Corner and Amokwe Junction in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. This is contained in a statement issued in Enugu on Saturday by Lt.-Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Nigerian Army. Unuakhalu said that Ayim was rescued unhurt on Thursday. According to him, the rescue operation was conducted when troops deployed at Udi checkpoint received a distress call from the police on the incident. Unuakhalu said that on arrival, the troops came in contact with the kidnappers, adding that due to the troops’ superior fire, members of the criminal gang fled in disarray with gunshot wounds into the nearby bushes. The army spokesman said that the gallant troops during further exploitation of the gang withdrawal route found the victim abandoned by the gang. “Troops proceeded to rescue the victim. He had since been reunited with his family after preliminary medical checks. “Joint Task Force Operation UDOKA II therefore, calls on the law abiding and good citizens of Enugu and the South-East region in general not to relent in providing timely, credible and reliable Information. “This will help in putting an end to the spiral of kidnapping activities and sundry criminality within the region. “Operation UDOKA II will continue combating crime and criminality in accordance with the extant rules and regulations guiding its operations,” he said.

NAF Special Forces rescue kidnapped victims in Kaduna

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Special Forces on night patrol on Sunday rescued seven kidnapped victims, comprising six females and one male near Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State. This is contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Monday in Abuja. Gabkwet said the female victims on interrogation revealed that they were kidnapped from Paikoro in Niger State while the lone male victim said that he was abducted from Rijau in Niger State. He said the terrorists, on sighting the troops, abandoned their victims and fled into a nearby forest. According to him, six of victims were subsequently taken to NAF Medical facility at Birnin Gwari for review and subsequently released. Gabwet said that the last victim, the male, was still being observed at the facility. “The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has since commended the efforts of the troops, while calling for intensified efforts toward ensuring all areas within Kaduna State and environs are free of terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements,” he said.