By Thompson Yamput
Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army have rescued the remaining seven kidnapped Orphanage Kids and the two wives of the Proprietor after foiling terrorists logistics movement in Kogi.
Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations (PRO),
12 Brigade Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Lokoja on Thursday.
Some suspected bandits had on April 26 invaded an unregistered orphanage, Daarul-Kitab Islamic Orphanage, in Zariagi, along the Kabba Junction axis of Lokoja, and abducted 23 pupils, including the wives of the school’s proprietor.
Security operatives had quickly responded and rescued 15 out of kidnapped pupils.
Abdullahi said that through coordinated operations conducted by the troops on Wednesday, the remaining seven pupils and the two wives of the proprietor were rescued.
He said, “The rescued victims included five boys, two girls, and two adult females, believed to be the wives of the proprietor of the orphanage.
“Acting on credible intelligence and maintaining persistent operational pressure, troops of the Brigade’s Blocking Force intercepted and recovered the victims within the Agbaja Forest general area in Lokoja Local Government Area.
“They were promptly evacuated to the 12 Brigade Medical Centre, where they received immediate medical attention and first aid. All victims are in stable condition.”
In a related development, troops acting on credible intelligence on the activities of an arms and ammunition syndicate intercepted and apprehended a suspected terrorist ammunition courier along road Obajana–Lokoja in Lokoja Local Government Area.
The PRO further disclosed that the suspect, identified as Yahaya Umar, was found in possession of 500 rounds of 7.62mm NATO belted ammunition concealed inside a bag of maize in an attempt to evade detection.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is a key logistics courier involved in the movement of arms and ammunition for terrorists across states within the North Central region
He said that further interrogation indicated that the ammunition was handed over to him at Obajana Forest and was being transported to Dikko Junction in Suleja, Niger State, for delivery to a yet-to-be-identified terrorist.
Abdullahi said that the suspect was currently in custody and undergoing further interrogation to aid ongoing operations aimed at dismantling the criminal network and apprehending other members of the syndicate.
He added, “These coordinated successes underscore the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property while sustaining aggressive operations against terrorists and their collaborators.”
The image maker urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts. (ephemeralnews.com.ng)
