Nigerian army frees 35 kidnap victims in Katsina, kills 30 terrorists in Kaduna

Thirty terrorists riding motorcycles in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been killed by the air component of Operation Whirl Punch.

This came after 35 abduction victims were freed on Sunday by security personnel in Katsina State from the Dumburu jungle.

After learning of the terrorists' movements in the region through an intelligence report, the airstrikes over Kaduna were launched.

According to a statement released on Monday by Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information, the eliminated terrorists were also accountable for multiple attacks and the kidnapping of innocent residents in the LGA, in addition to the recent ambush of troops at Kwanan Mutuwa.

Gabkwet said,  “In its relentless campaign to rid the North-West and North Central region of Nigeria of the menace of terrorism and kidnapping, the air component of Operation Whirl Punch has eliminated a syndicate of terrorists in Kaduna State.

The syndicate's activity in the Kwiga-Kampamin Doka corridor in the Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State was reported by intelligence, which prompted the strike.

“The intel also revealed that the same syndicate was responsible for the ambush on troops at Kwanan Mutuwa on January 27, 2024, as well as several attacks and abduction of innocent civilians in Birnin Gwari.”

He continued by saying that two armed terrorists on fifteen motorcycles were seen when the troops got at the scene.

Gabkwet reported that they were destroyed by a targeted attack.

Source