Troops of the Nigerian Army have on Monday 26 February 2024 successfully rescued 10 passengers onboard a Peace Mass Transit Bus kidnapped while traveling from Calabar to Abuja in Kogi State.
Director Army Public Relations, Maj-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement issued Tuesday said the rescue operation took place at Ogugu Community along Enugu-Kogi Road in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State.
He said responding to a distress call, the troops swiftly mobilised to the scene of the kidnap incident, where the kidnappers had demobilised a Peace Mass Transit bus, abducted the passengers and moved them into the nearby Ette forest.
Nwachukwu stressed that the troops diligently tracked and engaged the armed gang in a fire fight compelling them to relinquish their hostages.
He added that the swift and decisive action of the troops led to the successful rescue of the passengers.
In a separate operation, Nwachukwu revealed that troops conducted a clearance operation to IPOB/ESN enclaves in Egbuoma/Osiam in Oguta Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He said: “During the operation, troops had contact with fighters of the irredentists group, resulting in the neutralisation of one terrorist. The troops also recovered one Mercedes Benz 350 4matic from their camp.
“In another development, troops of the Nigerian Army on Monday 26 February 2024 quelled an attack on Katakpa village in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State following a distress call.
“An armed group identified as the Bassa militia group had invaded the village, sadly annihilating the Sarkin Katakpa.”
Nwachukwu said acting on a distress call, troops embarked on a fighting patrol to the community and successfully repelled the attack.
He pointed out that during the exploitation, troops recovered two AK 47 Rifles, two AK 47 Magazines, two G3 Rifles, two G3 Rifle Magazines, 41 Cartridges of 39mm ball special ammunition and 45 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.