Troops clash with gunmen on Kaduna highway, rescue 30 kidnapped travellers

Troops of the One-Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, on Thursday, rescued 30 kidnapped victims along the dreaded Kaduna-Birnin-Gwari road in Kaduna State.

The troops encountered the bandits while escorting the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Maj Gen SE Udonwa, who was on operational visits to the ‘Operation Whirl Punch’ Headquarters in Birnin Gwari.

The Acting Public Relations of the Division, Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya, confirmed this in a statement. He said the troops engaged the bandits and overpowered them, forcing the criminal elements to withdraw in disarray.

“A fighting patrol from 1 Division today Thursday 2nd of February 2023 had a meeting engagement with armed bandits kidnapping commuters at Manini village along Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road,” the statement reads.

“The troops who were escorting the chief of defence training and operations, Maj Gen SE Udonwa, who was on operational visits to Operation Whirl Punch Headquarters in Birnin Gwari, engaged the bandits and overpowered them, forcing the criminal element to withdraw in disarray.

“The gallant troops rescued 30 kidnapped victims, recovered 2 motorcycles, and immediately cleared the highway for free flow of vehicular traffic.

“The rescued victims were escorted to Udawa and Birnin Gwari to continue their journey.”

He added that the chief of defence training and operations commended the troops for their efforts and resilience.