Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna, Mr. Samuel Aruwan has confirmed in a statement that eleven captives have escaped from bandits’ camps.
Aruwan said: “Reports from security agencies have informed the Kaduna State Government that 11 hostages escaped from bandits’ camps at the outskirts of Sabon Birni town of Igabi LocalGovernment Area (LGA) of the state.
“According to the reports, ongoing security operations dislodged many of the bandits’ camps, leaving them in disarray and enabling the escape of the hostages being held there.”
According to him, careful checks revealed that the 11 hostages were a mix of those kidnapped from Dumbin Rauga in Zaria Local Government Area and also along the Kaduna-Zaria highway.
“It was reported that the families of those kidnapped at Dutsen Abba 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.
“The escapees were recovered by the troops and have since been reunited with their families,” he said.
The commissioner also said that troops of Operation Safe Haven reported the rescue of two kidnapped victims around Kirti village of Jema’a Loca Government Area.
“They have also been reunited with their families,” the commissioner added.
He disclosed that the troops also rescued a woman in Ungwan Sarki Goza village, Mariri area of Lere Local Government Area.
He said the woman was abducted by bandits who abandoned her on sighting the troops.
The commissioner said Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed satisfaction with the development, praising the military’s efforts and the degrading effect of the onslaught on bandits’ hideouts across the state.
He also commended the swift response of the troops to the rescue of kidnapped citizens in Jema’a and Lere Local Government Areas.
“The governor sent his prayers and best wishes to all the former hostages as they rejoined their families,” Aruwan said. (NAN)
