Troops of the Operation Thunder Strike has rescued nine persons kidnapped along the Kaduna- Abuja Road on Sunday.
The Kaduna State Government through the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs,Samuel Aruwan made this known in a statement.
The Commissioner announced that it received operational feedback from the Defence Headquarters’s Operation Thunder Strike (OPTS) following Sunday’s incident, and inquiries from citizens on the development.
According to the Commissioner,the security operatives 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.
“Regrettably, the driver and a passenger seated close to him lost their lives.” the statement reads.
The Kaduna State Government sends its condolences to their families and prays for God to grant them eternal rest while assuring citizens and commuters plying the route that any emerging developments regarding the unfortunate incident will be communicated.
The State government however assures citizens that it will continue to work hard, in collaboration with the Federal Government and all security agencies to improve the security of the highway and further enhance security in the region.