Troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army have dislodged bandits along Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road and rescued 30 kidnapped victims.

Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Lt-Col Musa Yahaya confirmed the development in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna.

“A fighting patrol from 1 Division today Thursday Feb. 2, had a meeting engagement with armed bandits kidnapping commuters at Manini village along Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road.

“The troops, who were escorting the Chief of Defence Training and Operations Maj.-Gen. SE Udonwa who was on operational visits to Operation Whirl Punch Headquarters in Birnin Gwari, engaged the bandits and overpowered them, forcing the criminal element to withdraw in disarray.’’

According to him, the gallant troops rescued 30 kidnapped victims, recovered two motorcycles and immediately cleared the highway for free flow of vehicles.

“The rescued victims were escorted to Udawa and Birnin Gwari to continue their journey.

“The Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Maj.-Gen. Udonwa, has commended the troops for their professionalism and resilience,’’ Yahaya said.