Troops rescue kidnap victim, arrest drug suspects in Kebbi

Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have rescued a kidnapped resident, recovered 18 rustled cattle and arrested four suspected drug peddlers in separate operations in Kebbi State.

The operations, conducted on October 18, involved troops of Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force, working with local vigilantes and personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

In a statement on Monday, the task force's Media Information Officer, Lt.-Col. Aliyu Danja, said the troops rescued a 40-year-old man, Suleiman Maiyaki Ikara, following an attack on Rambo Village in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.

Danja said the troops responded to a distress call reporting that terrorists had invaded the community to abduct residents and rustle cattle.

According to him, the troops, with local vigilantes, mobilised to the village, engaged the attackers in a gun battle and successfully rescued the victim.

The troops also recovered 18 rustled cattle during the operation.

Danja said the rescued man and the recovered livestock were subsequently handed over to the district head of Rambo Village for further action.

In a separate operation, troops collaborated with NDLEA personnel to raid suspected drug trafficking locations in Dakin Kowa, Karaye and Gubba communities in Maiyama Local Government Area.

The joint operation led to the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of substances suspected to be illicit drugs.

The suspects and the recovered substances have been handed over to the NDLEA command in Maiyama for investigation and further action, the statement added.

Danja said the task force remained committed to sustaining offensive operations against terrorists and other criminal elements across its joint operations area.

He also called on residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity and other criminal activities.