Troops rescue 20 police officers abducted by terrorists

The military said troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 20 Nigeria Police Force personnel abducted by suspected terrorists.

The military added that the police personnel were abducted when terrorists attacked a police station at Buni Yadi in Yobe state.

The acting Director, Defence Media Operation, Brigadier General Bernard Onyeuko, disclosed this on Thursday while giving an update on the activities of the troops between November 25 and December 9.

He also said a total of 62 terrorists were killed, 28 arrested, and 54 arms and 144 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the terrorists.

He said, “Cumulatively, a total 62 terrorist elements were neutralized and 28 of them were arrested, while 54 assorted arms and 144 rounds of different calibre of ammunitions were recovered. Also, a total of 101 rustled livestock were recovered and 20 kidnapped NPF personnel, who were abducted when the terrorists attacked the Police Division, were rescued by own troops at Buni Yadi within the period.”

Onyeuko also disclosed that no fewer than 75 bandits were killed by troops of Operation Thunder Strike.

According to him, 30 of them were killed close to the Kaduna State NYSC camp.

He said, “On 3 December 2021, following credible intelligence report and after careful aerial surveillance revealed activities of armed bandits east of Rijana village along Abuja – Kaduna Highway.

“Consequently, a force package of NAF’s platforms was dispatched to take out the criminal elements.

“During the operation, 45 armed bandits were neutralized and their structures, housing logistics items, and weapons were destroyed. In addition, other armed bandits who escaped during the airstrikes were traced to a location 4km southeast of the Kaduna State NYSC Orientation Camp, where 30 of them were killed in airstrikes.”

Onyeuko also said troops also arrested a notorious bandit in Kaduna and confessed that the head of the vigilante in the area was aiding their operations.

He said,”On 3 December 2021, troops arrested a notorious armed bandit at Paka community in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State, who revealed that the Head of vigilantes in Rigasa aids armed banditry and is involved in some attacks and kidnap incidents in the environment. Other incidents with significant results were recorded at; Hayin Gada and Rugan Alhaji Ori villages in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State.”