By Our Correspondent
Troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully rescued 19 kidnapped residents during a security operation in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
The rescue mission, carried out in Gidan Dogo community, also led to the neutralisation of a suspected bandit and the recovery of weapons believed to have been used in criminal activities in the area.
The coordinated operation followed credible intelligence reports on the location of armed criminals responsible for the recent abduction of residents from the Byazhin axis of Abuja.
Acting on the information, troops launched a carefully planned search-and-rescue operation aimed at freeing the victims and dismantling the criminal hideout.
According to a statement released by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Olawuyi Itunuoluwa, troops of the 7 Guards Battalion, Guards Brigade, worked in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilante groups to carry out the operation.
During the mission, security forces reportedly encountered the kidnappers, leading to a brief but intense exchange of gunfire.
One of the suspects was neutralised in the firefight, while others escaped into nearby bushes with suspected gunshot wounds.
The operation led to the safe rescue of all 19 kidnapped victims, bringing relief to their families and residents who had been worried about rising insecurity in parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
Security operatives also recovered one AK-47 rifle and a locally fabricated firearm from the scene, further confirming the presence of armed criminal elements operating in the area.
Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya, praised the bravery and professionalism of the troops as well as the cooperation of other security agencies involved in the operation.
He reiterated that the Nigerian Army remains fully committed to protecting residents of Abuja and safeguarding the nation’s seat of power.
Onasanya added that troops would continue to dominate the area and intensify joint security operations with other agencies to prevent further incidents of kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities within the Federal Capital Territory and its surrounding communities.
