The Kaduna State Government has disclosed that troops carrying out internal security operations rescued nine persons kidnapped along the Kaduna-Abuja Road on Sunday afternoon.
However, two persons – the driver of an 18-seater bus with number plate Kaduna, MKA-151, and a passenger, lost their lives as kidnappers opened fire on the vehicle.
The State Commissioner, Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, made this known in a statement based on operational feedback received from the Defence Headquarters’ Operation Thunder Strike following Sunday’s incident.
The statement on Monday partly said, “Troops of the Operation Thunder Strike on a routine patrol along Akilubu-Gidan Busa axis on the Kaduna-Abuja road, received a distress call at around 4PM, of bandits blocking the main highway.
“The armed bandits opened fire on a bus, forcing the driver to halt.
“On getting to the location, the armed bandits had already kidnapped nine persons from an 18-seater bus with registration No. Kaduna: MKA-151.
“The troops immediately mobilised and engaged the bandits in a firefight and in the process rescued nine persons kidnapped who later rejoined their colleagues after their rescue and a headcount.
“Regrettably, the driver and a passenger seated close to him lost their lives.”
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government while commiserating with families of the victims, assured citizens and road users plying the Abuja-Kaduna expressway of adequate security.
