11 kidnap victims escape from bandits’ camp in Kaduna

Eleven kidnapped persons have escaped from bandits’ camps on the outskirts of Sabon Birni town, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, Samuel Aruwan, said on Thursday that ongoing security operations in the state had dislodged many of the bandits’ camps, enabling victims to escape.

According to Aruwan, the eleven persons that gained freedom are a mix of those kidnapped from Dumbin Rauga, Zaria council and along the Kaduna-Zaria Highway.

He added that five of the victims that gained their freedom were children abducted from Dumbin Rauga.

It was reported that the families of the children kidnapped at Dumbin Rauga – all between ages 7 to 10 had collectively paid a ransom of N3,000,000.

But the bandits reneged on the agreement to release the captives, insisting that two motorcycles must be included in the ransom deal.

The escapees were recovered by the troops and have since been reunited with their families.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Safe Haven reported the rescue of two kidnapped victims, Barira Sulaiman Inusa and Isah Musa, around Kirti village of Jema’a council. They have also been reunited with their families.

Furthermore, the troops rescued one Chioma Amanda Silver, in Ungwan Sarki Goza village, Mariri, Lere council. She had been abducted by bandits, who abandoned her on sighting the troops.

Receiving the reports, Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed his satisfaction with the developments, praising the military’s efforts and the degrading effect of the onslaught on bandit hideouts across the state. The governor sent his prayers and best wishes to all the former hostages re-joining their families.