Troops of 7 Guards Battalion of the Guards Brigade Nigerian Army, in conjunction with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and members of local vigilantes have rescued 19 kidnapped victims in Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory.
The feat was achieved in a coordinated search and rescue operation conducted around Gidan Dogo in Bwari Area Council.
The operation was launched following credible intelligence on the whereabouts of terrorists responsible for the recent abduction of residents from the Byazhin area of Bwari.
A statement said during the operation, troops made contact with the terrorists resulting in a firefight in which one of the terrorists was neutralised 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.
All the 19 kidnapped victims held custody were successfully rescued and evacuated to safety.
Troops immediately returned to their Forward Operating Base in Bwari while rescued victims were given medical attention.
The Commander Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya while commending the
rescue operation said troops will continue to dominate the general area to forestall further criminal activities.
He commended the troops and collaborating security agencies for their bravery and professionalism during the operation.
He said the Guards Brigade remains resolute and fully committed to safeguarding residents of the Federal Capital Territory and protecting Abuja as the nation’s seat of power.
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.