Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation FANSAN YAMA have rescued two kidnapped victims during a clearance operation in Kwara State.
The rescue operation was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, who also doubles as the Commander, Sector 3 of the operation.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Division, Lt. Col. Polycarp Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
Okoye said Maj. Gen. Nnebeife personally led troops during an operational visit to Patrol Base Babanla on Thursday.
The team advanced into the Babasango Forest, where the two abducted persons were freed.
According to him, the rescued victims were handed over to the traditional ruler of Ayekale, Oba Pius Oluwole Onidofin of Idofin Odoeshe Ayekale.
Okoye added that the visit followed a recent bandit attack near Idofin in Omu-Aran Local Government Area, where three traders were killed at Olegbede village.
In his remarks, Oba Oluwole attributed the repeated attacks to the community’s closeness to Babasango Forest and called for sustained military presence to protect residents.
Maj. Gen. Nnebeife, while consoling the royal father and residents, assured that the army would maintain continuous operations to rid the forest of bandits and other criminal groups threatening peace in the area.
It would be recalled that armed bandits had earlier invaded Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State in late September, killing about 15 vigilantes and hunters — an attack that forced many residents to flee their homes.