Writing by Usman Sani; Editing by Basirat Memudu
Troops of Sector 1 Operation Fansan Yamma-OPFY have rescued six kidnapped victims in the Kajuru/Kujama general area of Kaduna State.
A statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Lt Colonel Shu’aib Umar says the rescue operation was part of a wider, coordinated series of operations across multiple axes within Chikun, Kajuru, Kachia and Kagarko LGAs, including the fringes of Kauru border communities.
According to the statement, following a distress alert on the activities of violent extremists around the Kasso adjoining hills, troops of sub-sector 5, who were already conducting clearance operations in the Kujeni general area, swiftly mobilised to the location.
On arrival, troops made contact with the criminals and engaged them with effective suppressive fire, forcing them to flee in disarray into the surrounding forest.
The statement explains that the operations were deliberately designed to further suffocate the freedom of action of violent extremists within the joint operations area-JOA, and by implication, the wider sector 1 OPFY JOA.
It points out that the rescued victims were safely handed over to representatives of Kajuru LGA and the Kajuru Emirate Council for onward reunification with their families.
The statement adds that the General Officer Commanding 1 Division and Commander sector 1 OPFY, Major General Abubakar Wase commended the troops and charged them to remain on maximum alert and continue to sustain aggressive tempo to deny criminal elements freedom of action within the joint operations area.