By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Abuja

We are in hot chase of bandits that abducted students and staff of Government Science College, Kagara, Niger state, Director of army public relations, Brigd-General Mohammed Yerima said on Wednesday in Abuja.

The spokesman said the Nigerian army in line with its constitutional mandate wished to reassure the general public that troops in operational synergy with sister security agencies were in hot pursuit of the criminal elements in order to ensure safe return of the kidnapped students and staff.

He said “troops in a renewed effort and swift response to the unfortunate incident where bandits kidnapped members of staff and students of Government Science School, Kagara in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State has mobilized and are currently in hot pursuit of the criminal elements in the general area”, even as he calls on the general public to provide “actionable information to security agencies that would lead to the arrest of these criminal elements”.

Yerima in a separate statement said troops of Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO a subsidiary Operation of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the North East has continued to degrade the Boko Haram/Islamic State's West Africa Province criminals as they eliminate more Boko Haram/ Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists in their meeting point at Baiomari town in Yobe State.

He disclosed that on 16 February 2021 at about 5pm, the gallant troops of 159 Battalion and 233 Battalion acting on credible information on the movement of Boko Haram criminals to Baiomari, conducted a joint aggressive patrol in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force swiftly moved in and made contact with the terrorists.

“The troops engaged the terrorists with fierce volume of fire and neutralized 2 of them in the process while some escaped with gunshots wounds. Items captured includes; 1 x AK 47 Rifles and 1 AK 47 Rifle Top Cover. The gallant troops are in pursuit of the enemies and have continued to dominate the general area.

“The continuous successes recorded by the gallant troops of Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO against the Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province main hideouts where they plot and carry out their evil acts against civilian targets is an indication of their capitulation and the end of all criminal elements within the North East Region.

Reassuring the North East region of Nigerian Army's renewed vigour and zeal to crush the remnants of Boko Haram/Islamic State's West Africa Province criminals from their enclaves in the zone, he solicited cooperation of the media in disseminating information to the public.

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