Troops have stormed a kidnappers' den in a Rivers State community, setting some abducted soldiers and others free.
File photo
Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Delta Safe (ODS) have stormed a kidnappers’ den in Rivers State and rescued two abducted soldiers and four civilians, The Nation reports.
It was gathered that the troops also discovered human skulls and bones when they raided the kidnappers’ camp.
Confirming the development on Thursday, the ODS Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC), Maj. Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the operation followed a report that two soldiers on transit for banking services in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers, were kidnapped by gunmen.
He said the ODS immediately mobilised troops and stormed the kidnappers’ camp for the rescue operation.
Abdullahi said the criminals, on sighting the soldiers, engaged the troops in a gun duel.
He said the troops overpowered the hoodlums who escaped into the forest with gunshot wounds.
Abdullahi said: ”On September 18, 2017, about 7:30 a.m., OPDS headquarters received a report of kidnap of two soldiers while on transit for banking services in ONELGA, Rivers State.
”Troops were immediately mobilized, swung into action and discovered a militant camp with several shrines in a forest at Obiozimini community in River.
”On approaching the place, the suspected kidnappers opened fire on the troops who subsequently engaged them with superior fire power leading to casualties on the side of suspected kidnappers while others escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds into an adjoining forest.
”The operation successfully rescued the two abducted personnel. Further search of the campsite led to the rescue of four more civilians that were earlier kidnapped including a lady.”