At least four suspected bandits have been neutralised, while 20 kidnapped victims were rescued from kidnappers’ den by the Nigerian Army troops, an official disclosed.

The success story was recorded following the gallant efforts of the troops in Birnin Gwari and Giwa local government areas of Kaduna State.

The Overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, announced this in a statement issued to newsmen on Tuesday in Kaduna.

Aruwan said: “Troops have neutralised a total of four bandits during two operations spanning Birnin Gwari and Giwa LGAs. This was conveyed in a series of operational feedbacks to Kaduna State Government.

“According to the first report, troops of Operation Forest Sanity embarked on special clearance operations in the general area of Alawa in Birnin Gwari LGA.”

Aruwan said the troops, who set up a blocking force, sighted bandits’ movement around Kwaga, and after a brief pursuit, neutralised two of them.

The commissioner said during the operation, the following items were recovered, two AK-47 rifles, three magazines, three motorcycles and one Baofeng Radio.

He also said in the second report, troops of Sector 6 Operation Whirl Punch conducted fighting patrols around Nakwakina village in Giwa LGA, following credible intelligence.

“The troops laid an ambush along a likely terrorists’ withdrawal route. The terrorists were eventually sighted and engaged, two of them were neutralised while others escaped with bullet wounds.

“The troops combed the area and recovered two motorcycles, one cutlass and one mobile phone,” the commissioner confirmed.