The Nigerian Army has announced that its troops have rescued 16 out of the 87 residents abducted on Sunday night by bandits in Tantatu community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
The bandits, who were said to be in large numbers, invaded the community at about 10pm on Sunday. It was also reported that they broke into shops and looted foodstuffs.
In a statement on Monday, the army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu said troops, in response to the attack on the community on Sunday night, engaged the bandits in a gunfight, which led to the rescue of the abducted persons.
“Responding to actionable intelligence, the troops on 17 March 2024 at about 10:30 pm swiftly tracked the insurgents who had earlier attacked the community in numbers and abducted some of the villagers as hostages.
“On arriving at the scene of the incident, the troops tenaciously pursued the insurgents, engaging them in a ferocious exchange of fire and consequently rescuing 16 kidnapped victims.
The troops are still searching the bushes, according to the statement.
The attack occurred barely 48 hours after 14 people were abducted in a similar attack on Dogon Noma community also in Kajuru LGA.
A few days before, 61 people were also abducted in Kajuru LGA.
In the last three weeks about 465 people have been abducted in Kajuru and Chikun Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.
Chioma Kalu
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