TheCable

The Kaduna government says 10 kidnap victims have regained their freedom following a raid by troops on Damari forest in Birnin Gwari LGA of the state.

According to the state government, four of the escaped victims reside in Damari, while the other six were visiting Damari from a neighbouring state when they were kidnapped.

The victims have reunited with their families.

The raid, which was conducted after aerial patrol by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), resulted in the destruction of hideouts in Ukambo, Chikun LGA, Kuyanbana forest, and other parts of the state.

In a statement on Friday, Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna commissioner for internal security and home affairs, said the troops destroyed the camps of bandits identified as “Alhaji Ishiaka” and “Dan Rani”, in Igabi and Birnin Gwari LGAs, respectively.

“In another development, troops of Operation Forest Sanity conducted fighting patrols along the Gyam-Kuriga-Manini-Udawa-Buruku road in Birnin Gwari LGA,” the statement reads.

“Contact was made with bandits around Labi Gyam. After a 25-minute exchange, the bandits withdrew from the area.

“The troops dislodged the camp and recovered one AK47 rifle, seven motorcycles, nine rounds of ammunition, and one Baofeng radio charger.”