Security forces have arrested seven suspects in renewed onslaught against bandits in Kaduna State.
Troops continued clearance operations in identified enclaves of terrorists, rescuing six kidnapped persons in different locations of the state.
Residents of Birnin-Gwari, the local government that is the worst hit by banditry in the state, commended the security personnel and volunteer groups for destroying the terrorists’ enclaves in their forests.
In two statements yesterday, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan said the operation was carried out on Tuesday.
He said: “From recent operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government, troops of Operation Forest Sanity in the early hours of Tuesday carried out raid and rescue operations in Kuriga and Manini communities of Chikun Local Government Area.
According to the report, the troops made contact and engaged bandits at the suspected enclave.
After clearing the camp, the troops rescued six kidnapped citizens who were held at the location. The rescued persons have been reunited with their families,” he said.
One of the abductees was rescued with her child, it was said.
In the second statement, Aruwan said, “Security agencies have reported to the Kaduna State Government that seven suspected bandits have been arrested in Mariri community of Lere local government area.
“According to the report, the arrests were the result of sustained intelligence gathering. Troops of Operation Safe Haven acted on the credible intelligence, and arrested members of a kidnap syndicate, identified as follows: Musa Adamu, Abdullahi Usman, Suleiman Hasidu, Usman Jibril, Saidu Isah, Hassan Abdulhamid and Idris Sani
“The Kaduna State Government has noted the reports, and especially the rescue of six kidnapped citizens and arrest of the suspected kidnap syndicate. The Government warmly commended the troops, police personnel, intelligence operatives, vigilante members and other security forces, for another successful round of operations.
Meanwhile, people of Birnin-Gwari under the auspices of Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressive Union (BEPU), said they were elated by the success recorded this week by the joint security task force in many parts of the state and neighbouring ones, where terrorists have been boldly killing, abducting and maiming citizens.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Ishaq Kasai, BEPU commended the gallant security personnel and volunteer security groups for dislodging the terrorists in Birnin-Gwari forests.