Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 19 kidnapped victims during a coordinated search-and-rescue operation in the Bwari area of Abuja.
According to Olawuyi Odunola Itunuoluwa, acting assistant director of army public relations at the Guards Brigade headquarters, the operation was carried out by soldiers of the 7 Guards Battalion of the Guards Brigade in collaboration with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and local vigilantes.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Itunuoluwa said the operation took place around Gidan Dogo in Bwari area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He said the mission followed credible intelligence on the location of suspected terrorists responsible for the recent abduction of residents from the Byazhin area of Bwari.
“During the operation, troops encountered the bandits, leading to a gunfight in which one suspect was killed while others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds,” the statement reads.
“Security forces also recovered one AK-47 rifle and a locally fabricated firearm during the operation.
“All 19 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued and evacuated to safety.
“The troops have since returned to their forward operating base in Bwari, while the rescued victims are receiving attention.”
The spokesperson added that security personnel will continue to dominate the area to prevent further criminal activities.
According to Itunuoluwa, Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya, the commander of the Guards Brigade, commended the troops and collaborating security agencies for their bravery and professionalism during the operation.
He reiterated the brigade’s commitment to safeguarding residents of the Federal Capital Territory and protecting Abuja as the nation’s seat of power.
Onasanya added that the Guards Brigade will intensify joint operations with other security agencies to combat terrorism, kidnapping and other crimes in the territory.
