Troops of 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, operating under Sector 1 Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, have neutralised three suspected kidnappers and rescued two victims in separate operations across Delta State.
In a statement on Tuesday, Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 63 Brigade, Captain Iliyasu Bawa Rijau, said the first operation was conducted in Otulu Forest, Aniocha North Local Government Area, where troops, working with a tracker team from the Delta State Government House, stormed the hideout of a kidnap gang.
Acting on credible intelligence, the soldiers had trailed the criminals since last week following reports of ransom demands and abductions around Issele-Uku. A fierce 30-minute firefight ensued, during which three kidnappers were neutralised.
Recovered from the scene were one AK-47 rifle, a magazine with 52 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a cutlass, four mobile phones, a phone charger, a power bank, a pack of cigarettes, and the sum of ₦2,336,000 allegedly abandoned by the criminals.
One soldier sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, while the rescued female victim also suffered injuries inflicted by her captors. Both have since been evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, and are reported to be in stable condition. The remains of the neutralised kidnappers were handed over to the police in Ogwashi-Uku for further action.
In a separate operation on 17 August, troops responding to a distress call in Ekrodo-Jesse, Ethiope West LGA, foiled another kidnap attempt. On sighting the soldiers, the suspects fled into a nearby forest, abandoning their victim, 25-year-old Saviour Okiemute, who was safely reunited with his family. A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of a locally-made dane gun.
Commander, 63 Brigade/ Sector 1 OPDS, Brigadier General M.A. Shonibare, commended the troops for their gallantry and assured residents that the Army remains committed to rooting out criminal elements and ensuring lasting peace and security in Delta State.
