Troops conducting internal security operations have rescued two kidnapped women in Kwara State and foiled fresh abduction attempts in Ondo State as security forces intensified operations against criminal elements across the country.
An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday said troops of Operation Savannah Shield rescued the two victims during a fighting patrol in the Ndanaku-Lata general area of Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara.
The report said the victims were abducted on April 2 while returning from Patigi Market through the Ndanaku-Mari village road.
It stated that preliminary investigations showed that the victims, both residents of Ndanaku community, were abandoned by their captors along the Lata-Ndanaku forest axis before the kidnappers fled.
“The victims were subsequently reunited with their families after receiving necessary assistance from the troops,” the report said.
In a related development, troops of the Nigerian Army deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bangi in Niger State reportedly thwarted an attempt by terrorists to abduct farmers along the Kukata-Kotonkoro road in Mariga Local Government Area.
According to the report, the troops engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon the operation and escape into the forest.
It added that military reinforcements later pursued the fleeing criminals, with traces of blood reportedly found along their escape route.
The report further said troops of Operation MESA, in collaboration with the police and other security agencies, prevented two kidnapping attempts in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
It said security operatives responded to distress calls over attempted abductions in Ojana New Area and Igbegun Area, off Owo Housing Estate.
The joint security team’s intervention disrupted the criminals’ operation and forced them to flee into nearby bushes.
The intended victims and their family members were rescued unharmed, although one civilian sustained a gunshot injury to the leg and was taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, for treatment.
The report said troops later carried out pursuit and bush-combing operations to track the suspects, while surveillance was increased in the affected areas.
It added that the operations reflected ongoing efforts by security forces to combat kidnapping and protect vulnerable communities nationwide.
SOURCE: NAN
