Troops of the 7 Guards Battalion of the Guards Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued 19 kidnapped victims during a coordinated search and rescue operation in Gidan Dogo area of Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory.
The operation, conducted alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes, followed credible intelligence on the location of terrorists responsible for the recent abduction of residents in the Byazhin area of Bwari.
Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Guards Brigade, Lieutenant Odunola Olawuyi, disclosed in a statement that troops engaged the terrorists in a gun battle after making contact with them during the operation.
According to the statement, one of the criminals was neutralised in the exchange of fire while others fled the scene with suspected gunshot wounds.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and one locally fabricated firearm,” the statement added.
The troops successfully rescued all 19 kidnapped victims and evacuated them to safety. The victims are currently receiving necessary attention while security personnel continue to monitor the area.
Following the operation, troops returned to their Forward Operating Base in Bwari and have maintained a strong presence in the general area to prevent further criminal activities.
Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya, commended the troops as well as collaborating security agencies for their bravery and professionalism during the operation.
He reiterated that the Guards Brigade remains committed to protecting residents of the Federal Capital Territory and safeguarding Abuja as the nation’s seat of power.
According to him, the Brigade will continue to intensify operations in collaboration with other security agencies to rid the territory and its environs of terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
LIST OF VICTIMS RESCUED BY A COMBINED TEAM OF FCT POLICE COMMAND ANTI-KIDNAPPING UNIT, GUARDS BRIGADE, AND DEPARTMENT OF STATE SERVICES (DSS) PERSONNEL
1. Olowa Tosin
2. Blessing Titi
3. Success Anthony
4. Victor Anthony
5. Angel Anthony
6. Flourish Anthony
7. Oniwola Ganiyu
8. Mercy Jafia
9. Bashir Umar (35 years)
10. Hannatu Yohanna
11. James Raphael
12. Danjuma Joy
13. Pastor Bulus Ganiyu
14. Abdulmumini Adamu
15. Abubakar Garba
16. Ruth Precious
17. Idris Ayuba
18. Damina Precious
19. Tanko Jeji
20. Isah Bello
