. . . Troops step up offensive, rescue another two kidnap victims in Kaduna

By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

Eleven hostages have escaped from bandits’ camps at the outskirts of Sabon Birni town, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A security update on Thursday, August 12, by Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, said the ongoing security operations dislodged many of the bandits, leaving their camps in disarray and enabling the escape of the hostages being held there.

Aruwan disclosed that careful checks revealed that the 11 hostages are a mix of those kidnapped from Dumbin Rauga, Zaria LGA, and also along the Kaduna-Zaria highway.

The escaped hostages were identified as follows:

From Dumbin Rauga (all children between ages 7 and 10):

- Fatima Sani

- Aisha Falalu

- Amina Aliyu

- Hadizatu Sani

- Bashar Falalu

From the Kaduna-Zaria road (abducted while traveling from Maiduguri to Ilorin):

- Fatima Umar

- Zara Umar (and her infant)

- Hadiza Madu Sharif

- Hauwa Ali

- Zara Madu Sharif

- Maryam Madu

Security reports disclosed that the families of those kidnapped at Dumbin Rauga had collectively paid a ransom of N3 million but the bandits reneged on the agreement to release the captives, insisting that two motorcycles must be included in the ransom deal.

Aruwan said the escapees were recovered by the troops and have since been reunited with their families.

He further said: “In another development, troops of Operation Safe Haven reported the rescue of two kidnapped victims, Barira Sulaiman Inusa and Isah Musa, around Kirti village of Jema'a LGA. They have also been reunited with their families.

“Furthermore, the troops rescued one Mrs Chioma Amanda Silver, in Ungwan Sarki Goza village, Mariri, Lere LGA. She had been abducted by bandits who abandoned her on sighting the troops.

“Receiving the reports, Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed his satisfaction with the developments, praising the military’s efforts and the degrading effect of the onslaught on bandit hideouts across the state. He also commended the swift response of the troops to rescue the kidnapped citizens in Jema’a and Lere LGAs.

“The Governor sent his prayers and best wishes to all the former hostages as they rejoined their families.”

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