Personnel of the Nigerian Army has averted another attempt by terrorists in Kaduna State to kidnap some residents in Tantatu, Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.
In recent times, the state has emerged as a hotspot for terrorists who have kidnapped over 300 people.
It could be recalled that on March 12, 2024, no fewer than 61 people were reportedly abducted by suspected terrorists in the area.
According to a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the troops went after the terrorists who had attacked the Tantatu community and abducted residents.
He added that the troops engaged the terrorists in a gun battle which led to the rescue of the 16 kidnapped residents.
The Army spokesperson explained that responding to actionable intelligence, the troops on 17 March 2024 at about 10:30 p.m. swiftly tracked the insurgents who had earlier attacked the community in numbers and abducted some of the villagers as hostages.
Onyema noted that the troops were still on the trail of the terrorists in continuation of the search and rescue operations to extricate other victims and stop the nefarious activities of the insurgents.
He said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, commended the troops for the successful rescue of the kidnap victims and charged them to remain vigilant as they conduct ongoing counter-insurgency operations to liberate all troubled areas in the country.