The Nigerian Army has rescued 19 kidnapped residents and neutralised a suspected bandit during a coordinated security operation in Gidan Dogo, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
The operation followed credible intelligence on the hideout of criminals believed to be responsible for the recent abduction of residents from the Byazhin area of Abuja.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Guards Brigade, Capt. Olawuyi Itunuoluwa, said troops of the 7 Guards Battalion, Guards Brigade, carried out the operation in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes.
According to the statement, the joint security team successfully rescued 19 kidnapped victims during the search and rescue operation.
It added that the troops encountered the bandits during the operation, leading to a gun battle.
“During the operation, troops made contact with the bandits, leading to a firefight in which one of the criminals was neutralised, while others fled the scene with suspected gunshot wounds,” the statement said.
READ ALSO: Army Rescues 12 Kidnap Victims, Nabs Two Suspects In Enugu
The Army further disclosed that a subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and a locally fabricated firearm.
Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Adebisi Onasanya, commended the troops and other security agencies involved in the operation for their bravery and professionalism.
He reiterated the brigade’s commitment to protecting residents of the Federal Capital Territory and safeguarding Abuja as the nation’s seat of power.
Onasanya also assured that troops would continue to dominate the area to prevent further criminal activities while intensifying operations with other security agencies to rid the territory and its environs of terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of crime.