Army says troops rescue 16 kidnapped people in Niger State

The Nigerian Army says troops rescued 16 kidnapped people during an ambush on suspected attackers’ routes in Kontagora Local Government Area, Niger State, on Thursday.

Captain Adebayo Adewumi, acting assistant director of Army public relations for 18 Brigade, described the operation in a statement on the brigade’s activities.

The army said those rescued had received first aid and were handed to the appropriate authorities to be reunited with their families.

Troops acted on intelligence about armed men moving from Mashegu Local Government Area towards Rijiyan Nagwamatse in Kontagora. The army said the men had earlier abducted residents.

The reported recoveries included two AK-47 rifles, three rocket-propelled grenade bombs and 33 motorcycles. Troops also recovered seven rifle magazines and assorted ammunition.

The statement also described an earlier operation on Tuesday against armed men moving from Makuku village in Sakaba Local Government Area, Kebbi State, towards Tungan Kawo in Rijau Local Government Area, Niger State.

The army said a search after that encounter yielded five motorcycles, a mobile phone and N644,300. It did not identify the rescued people in the accounts made public.

The recovered items remain in military custody for further action, the army said.

Sources: Channels Television; Daily Post