Nigerian troops have rescued 19 people who were kidnapped in communities near the nation’s capital, the army said Saturday.
The operation was carried out by troops of the 7 Guards Battalion of the Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army, working with officers of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes.
According to the army, the rescue mission took place around Gidan Dogo in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
Officials said the operation began after security agencies received intelligence about the location of suspected bandits who had recently abducted residents from the Byazhin area of Bwari.
“During the operation, troops made contact with the bandits, leading to a firefight in which one of the criminals was neutralised, while others fled the scene with suspected gunshot wounds,” the army said in a statement.
Security forces later searched the area and recovered weapons.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and one locally fabricated firearm,” the statement said.
All 19 kidnapped victims were rescued and taken to safety, where they are now receiving attention.
Troops have since returned to their Forward Operating Base in Bwari, while security forces continue to monitor the area.
“Troops will continue to dominate the general area to forestall further criminal activities,” the army said.
The Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brig. Gen. Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya, praised the troops and other security agencies for their actions during the mission.
He said the brigade “remains resolute and fully committed to safeguarding residents of the Federal Capital Territory.”
