Nine people abducted by kidnappers along Kaduna – Abuja highway have been rescued by soldiers following a crossfire with the kidnappers, while the driver of the commercial vehicle and a passenger sitting beside him, were killed by the kidnappers.
The kidnappers opened fire on the approaching commercial bus with Kaduna registration number MKA -151 on Sunday forcing the vehicle to stop.
They immediately whisked away nine passengers in the vehicle after killing the driver and passenger on the front seat.
A statement signed by Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan on Monday said the nine passengers have been rescued by men of Operation Thunder Strike (OPTS).
According to Aruwan, “The troops carrying out internal security operations rescued nine persons kidnapped along the Kaduna-Abuja Road on Sunday afternoon. The Kaduna state government received operational feedback from the Defence Headquarters’ Operation Thunder Strike (OPTS) following Sunday’s incident, and inquiries from citizens on the development.
“Troops of the Operation Thunder Strike on a routine patrol along Akilubu-Gidan Busa axis on the Kaduna-Abuja road, received a distress call at around 4PM, of bandits blocking the main highway. The armed bandits opened fire on a bus, forcing the driver to halt.
“On getting to the location, the armed bandits had already kidnapped nine persons from an 18-seater bus with registration No. Kaduna: MKA-151.
“The troops immediately mobilized and engaged the bandits in a firefight and in the process rescued nine persons kidnapped who later rejoined their colleagues after their rescue and a head count. (Pictures attached).
“Regrettably, the driver and a passenger seated close to him lost their lives. The Kaduna state government sends its condolences to their families and prays for God to grant them eternal rest.
“Following this summary from the military, the government assures citizens and commuters plying the route that any emerging developments regarding the unfortunate incident will be communicated.
“Government also assures citizens of Kaduna state that it will continue to work hard, in collaboration with the Federal Government to improve the security of the highway. It is also working with the governments of Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Sokoto and Kano states, as well as the Military, Police, DSS and relevant stakeholders on enhancing the security situation in the region.”
