TheCable

The Kaduna state government says 11 hostages escaped from bandit camps following a clampdown on the criminals during security operations.

Samuel Aruwan, the state commissioner for internal security and home affairs, said in a statement on Thursday the hostages escaped from the camps on the outskirts of Sabon Birni town of Igabi LGA.

“According to the reports, ongoing security operations dislodged many of the bandits’ camps, leaving them in disarray and enabling the escape of the hostages being held there,” Aruwan said.

According to him, the escapees comprised those kidnapped from Dumbin Rauga in Zaria LGA and also along the Kaduna-Zaria highway.

“It was reported that the families of those kidnapped at Dutsen Abba had collectively paid a ransom of N3 million, but the bandits reneged on the agreement to release the captives, insisting that two motorcycles must be included in the ransom deal,” he said.

“The escapees were recovered by the troops and have since been reunited with their families.”

The commissioner said troops of Operation Safe Haven reported the rescue of two kidnapped victims around Kirti village of Jema’a LGA.

He also said the troops rescued a woman in Ungwan Sarki Goza village, Mariri area of Lere LGA.

Aruwan said Nasir el-Rufai, the state governor, expressed satisfaction with the development, praising the military’s efforts in securing the lives and property of the people.

The governor also commended the swift response of the troops on the rescue of kidnapped citizens in Jema’a and Lere LGAs.