There was widespread jubilation at the weekend in Gidandogo and Byazhin communities in Bwari Area Council, of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as a joint operation by the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and the police resulted in the rescue of 25 kidnapped victims.
The rescued victims, comprising 14 men, six women, and five children, community sources said, were reportedly abducted in the first week of March by bandits operating across the communities.
Sources confirmed that, the gun duel between the security forces and the bandits resulted in the death of two kidnappers, recovery of one AK-47 rifle, and one locally-fabricated shotgun.
The operations followed reports of multiple abductions in Peze and Byazhin communities in the council, as well as in bordering communities across Kaduna and Niger States.
Leaders and members of the communities praised the agencies for the feat, noting that the development has brought a sigh of relief to several communities in the area council.
Speaking to reporters, the community leader of Zone D, Ushafa, particularly thanked the DSS for “working tirelessly with the communities to gather intelligence that led to the rescue operation.”
He appreciated the secret police fur what he described as the “constant follow-up on the case even before the rescue operation,” and assured that community members will continue to contribute their part to support the DSS.
On his part, the village Head, Byazhin ward, commended the Director General of the DSS, Mr. Tosin Ajayi, for “his commitment to tackling insecurity and his humane disposition to the people.”
He thanked the Service for prioritizing the safety of his people and prayed for divine strength and protection for the DSS operatives
Reuniting with their families, the victims, who recounted their horrific ordeal, appreciated the DSS and other security agencies. They thanked God for their safe return.
“I want to thank the agencies for their swift response which saved our lives. Today we are at the Army barracks and we have received treatment and they are taking care of us. May God keep giving them the strength to keep setting Nigeria free from these bad elements that have been disrupting the peace of the country,” one of the rescued victims declared.
Relatedly, added the source, the DSS arrested a suspected bandit informant identified as Habila Abraham. “He is currently in DSS custody awaiting arraignment in court,” the source disclosed.