Eric Patrick
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 22 Armoured Brigade have rescued two kidnap victims and arrested eight suspected kidnappers during a raid on a criminal hideout in Kwara State.
The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations for the 22 Brigade, Lieutenant Stephen Nwankwo, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to Nwankwo, the operation was conducted on Saturday, June 21, by soldiers from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Patigi.
The statement added that the troops, while acting on credible intelligence, stormed a suspected kidnappers’ enclave on the outskirts of Latandaji Village in Patigi Local Government Area.
The troops reportedly faced mild resistance but swiftly overpowered the criminals with superior firepower.
During the operation, two kidnap victims Mr. Amos Moses and Mr. Philip Michael were rescued.
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One of the suspects, identified as Mr. Mohammed Mohammed, sustained gunshot wounds in the firefight and was taken to Bachita Teaching Hospital for treatment.
“A further search of the area led to the recovery of two motorcycles and two expended cartridge shells believed to have been used by the suspects,” the statement said.
The Army also disclosed that, all suspects are in military custody, undergoing preliminary investigations, and will be handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution.
The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to securing lives and property and urged the public to provide timely, actionable intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.