Troops Foil Terror Plot, Rescue 31 Kidnapped Church Worshippers in Kaduna

Thirty-one churchgoers who had been kidnapped during an Easter service were freed when the Nigerian Army stopped a terrorist attack on Ariko hamlet in Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

According to reports, the attackers invaded the neighborhood and targeted three churches in a coordinated attack that caused numerous casualties and interfered with religious activity.

The event reportedly claimed the lives of five persons.

In a statement published on its verified X feed, the Nigerian Army Headquarters confirmed the occurrence, stating that troops reacted quickly to a distress call from the region.

According to the statement, “a distress call reporting the abduction of worshippers during an Easter service at an ECWA Church in Ariko Village prompted the troops’ quick response.”

“As soon as they received the information, the troops mobilized to the scene.” They pursued the escaping terrorists with the help and direction of Ariko community members and engaged the offenders in a violent battle, overpowering them with superior weaponry, according to the statement.

It further stated that the attackers were forced to flee while abandoning their victims due to persistent pressure from the military.

“The terrorists were forced to abandon 31 hostages, including one injured victim who is currently receiving medical attention, due to the mounting pressure from the advancing troops.”

However, the statement expressed regret that five individuals died in the incident despite the successful rescue effort.

Unfortunately, the bodies of five victims who had already been murdered by terrorists were also found at the scene.

According to the statement, “blood trails along their escape routes indicate that the terrorists are thought to have suffered significant casualties.”

“Troops have since intensified pursuit operations to track the fleeing elements to their enclaves, with ongoing efforts aimed at rescuing any remaining captives and ensuring the perpetrators are brought to justice,” the Army continued.

“More troops have been sent to the area to bolster ongoing operations, improve security presence, and prevent further threats to lives and property in order to consolidate the gains recorded.”

The Army reaffirmed its dedication to national security.

“Troops are unwavering in their determination to continue offensive operations against all threats to national security.”

Additionally, it emphasized that maintaining collective vigilance is still essential to attaining long-term peace and stability and called on the people to assist security authorities with timely and reliable information.

In the meantime, some suspects have been detained by the Taraba State Police Command in relation to the murders of three police officers and the Tor Damisa vigilante commander in the state’s Donga Local Government Area.

Following the arrest of the suspects—Suleman Abdullahi, 30, and Idris Kauri, 33—who are allegedly from Akente village in the same Donga LGA, a number of meetings with pertinent parties and intelligence gathering took place.

Following the suspects’ parading at the state Police Command, Morkwap S. Dongshal, the state Commissioner of Police who assumed control of the Command soon after the tragic incident, told reporters that the three service weapons belonging to the deceased police officers had also been found.

The CP further disclosed that the Command is pursuing other suspects who are currently at large, promising to make sure they are captured wherever they may be hiding in Nigeria.

The police said that the suspects provided helpful information that will help the Command locate further suspects.

Similarly, during a stop-and-search operation, the Command apprehended two suspects who had 304 rounds of live ammunition.

The suspects, Job Davi, who is from Toungo LGA in Adamawa State, and Torme Terzugwe, 39, of Kwande LGA in Benue State, were captured at Yonko village in Zing LGA.

They were stopped while traveling to Ganye LGA in Adamawa State on an unregistered motorcycle. The case is still being investigated.Because

The CP has taken numerous aggressive measures to stop the resurgence of violent attacks in some areas of the state, especially in the southern region, since Sinhe took office just a week ago.

He specifically traveled to Kofai Ahmadu and Chanchanji in Takum LG, A, which has recently seen a number of violent incidents. There, he spoke with important security players, such as traditional rulers, community leaders, and young leaders.

The CP relocated from Takum, Dongshal, to Tor Damisa in Donga LGA, where the local vigilante leader and police officers were slain in an ambush a few days prior.

Some of the perpetrators in the horrible act were arrested when the Cheld ada met with Tse Kwe Tor Damisa, the traditional ruler of the area, at Tor Damisa.