TheCable

The Nigerian army says troops of operation thunder strike have rescued six students from kidnappers in Kaduna state.

Ezindu Idimah, spokesman of the army in Kaduna, said the victims, who are students of Government Day Secondary School in Chikun local government area of the state, were kidnapped on their way to school on Thursday morning.

Idimah also said three “motor boys” were rescued while four suspected bandits were killed by the troops.

“The Troops who were on routine patrol in the general area received information from a reliable source that some bandits terrorising the Abuja-Kaduna highway have waylaid some students on their way to school and abducted them,” he said.

“Troops immediately swung into action and gave the bandits a hot chase. On sighting the troops, the bandits engaged them in a firefight but had to surrender to the superior firepower of the troops.

“Following the firefight, one of the bandits was neutralised while the rest scampered into different directions of the forest with gunshot wounds.”

He said all the students abducted by the bandits were rescued, and have been united with their families.

Idimah added that one AK-47 rifle with seven rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and a pump-action gun with 10 cartridges were recovered by the troops.

According to him, the troops are currently combing the forest for the bandits.

“In a related development, troops also dealt decisively with bandits in an ambush at Soho Gaya in Chikun local government area at about 10 am this morning,” he said.

“During the ambush, two bandits were neutralized while one rifle was recovered.

“Additionally, at about 10:45am, troops pursued bandits into one of the forests in Chukun local government area of Kaduna state.

“During the pursuit, one of the bandits was neutralized while 2 AK-47 rifles, one pump-action, and 3 magazines were recovered.

“The success recorded has buoyed up troops morale who expressed enthusiasm in sustaining the onslaught against the bandits and other criminal elements within the division area of responsibility.”

He asked the public to report anybody with gun wounds to security agents around them.