By MOHAMMED TIJJANI

At least four suspected bandits have been neutralised, while 20 kidnapped victims were rescued from kidnappers? den by the Nigerian Army troops, an official disclosed.

The success story was recorded following the gallant efforts of the troops in Birnin Gwari and Giwa Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.

The Overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, announced this in a statement issued to newsmen on Tuesday in Kaduna.

Aruwan said: ?Troops have neutralised a total of four bandits during two operations spanning Birnin Gwari and Giwa LGAs. This was conveyed in a series of operational feedbacks to Kaduna State Government.

?According to the first report, troops of Operation Forest Sanity embarked on special clearance operations in the general area of Alawa in Birnin Gwari LGA.?

Aruwan said the troops, who set up a blocking force, sighted bandits? movement around Kwaga, and after a brief pursuit, neutralised two of them.

The commissioner said during the operation, the following items were recovered, two AK-47 rifles, three magazines, three motorcycles and one Baofeng Radio.

He also said in the second report, troops of Sector 6 Operation Whirl Punch conducted fighting patrols around Nakwakina village in Giwa LGA, following credible intelligence.

?The troops laid an ambush along a likely terrorists? withdrawal route. The terrorists were eventually sighted and engaged, two of them were neutralised while others escaped with bullet wounds.

?The troops combed the area and recovered two motorcycles, one cutlass and one mobile phone,? the commissioner confirmed.

He also disclosed that in another mission, troops of Sector 3, Operation Whirl Punch deployed along Kwaga-Polewire Road, Birnin Gwari LGA, responded to a distress call and intercepted bandits who had kidnapped locals near Polewire village.

?The bandits fled from the scene on sighting the troops, who promptly rescued the 20 kidnapped victims and reunited them with their families,? he said.

Aruwan said Gov. Uba Sani had expressed happiness at each of the reports and thanked the security forces for the feedback.

He said the governor expressed warm commendations to the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander Operation Whirl Punch, Maj-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, for the notable breakthroughs and rescues in the Birnin Gwari and Giwa general areas.

?The governor urged the troops to sustain the momentum against bandits and insurgents in the location, and other areas of interest.

?Citizens in these areas are encouraged to report any suspicious persons seeking medical attention for gunshot wounds or similar injuries, to the 1 Division/Operation Whirl Punch Toll Free Line: 08000020204.

?Such reports can also be routed to the Security Operations Room on the phone lines: 09034000060 and 08170189999,? Aruwan pleaded. (NAN)

?Gallant Nigerian troops

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