Army urges bandits in Katsina to surrender
Brigadier General Babatunde Omopariola, Commander of the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Katsina, announced on Saturday that bandits and violent extremists still have the opportunity to surrender.
He warned individuals involved in kidnapping to cease their activities or face consequences. Omopariola made the remarks during a ceremony at the 17 Brigade Headquarters, where he handed over nine rescued kidnapping victims to Katsina State officials.
Omopariola, represented by the Brigade’s Chief of Staff, Colonel Yakubu Nwandiscas, stated that the Nigerian Army used a non-kinetic approach to rescue the victims.
The group, consisting of five men, two nursing mothers, and their two babies, had been kidnapped from various Katsina LGAs at different times and taken to Kaduna State by bandits.
In his remarks, Sa’idu Danja, the Senior Special Assistant to the Katsina State Governor on Victims of Banditry and IDPs, praised all those involved in the rescue operation.
He highlighted that a joint team of troops and security agencies had rescued 11 victims in Batsari LGA on Thursday and 19 more on Friday.
“These successes are a result of your strong collaboration,” Danja said. “His Excellency the Governor has received full cooperation from all security agencies and will continue to provide the necessary support to help you achieve your goals.”
One of the rescued victims, 45-year-old Inusa Salisu, a father of 15, shared his ordeal of being held captive for 90 days by bandits.
He explained that he was abducted while working on his farmland, about five kilometers from Sabuwa LGA. “The bandits, seven in total and riding five motorcycles, chased me and my grown son,” he recounted.
“During the 90 days we were held, we had to eat animal feed. They killed five people in my presence, including my 20-year-old son. I didn’t drink water, let alone take a bath, during that time,” he explained.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at NeptunePrime.
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