Troops of the Nigerian Army Guards Brigade have rescued 19 kidnapped victims and neutralised a suspected terrorist during a coordinated operation in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
The operation was carried out by troops of the 7 Guards Battalion in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes around Gidan Dogo following credible intelligence on the location of criminals responsible for the recent abduction of residents in the Byazhin area.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by Lieutenant Olawuyi Odunola Itunuoluwa, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Guards Brigade, the troops engaged the bandits in a gun battle during the operation.
One of the criminals was neutralised in the exchange of fire, while others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
Security operatives also recovered one AK-47 rifle and a locally fabricated firearm during further search of the area.
All 19 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued and evacuated to safety, and are currently receiving attention.
The Commander of the Guards Brigade, Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya, commended the troops and other security agencies involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism.
He reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to protecting residents of Abuja and ensuring the security of the nation’s capital.
Onasanya added that troops will continue to dominate the general area and intensify operations with other security agencies to curb terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities within the territory.
