Nigerian Troops Rescue 31 Church Members After Foiling Terror Attack in Kaduna

Thirty-one churchgoers who were kidnapped during an Easter service have been freed after 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 well-planned attack that interfered with religious activities and resulted in numerous fatalities.

During the incident, five persons were reportedly killed.

In a statement published on its verified X Twitter, the Nigerian Army Headquarters confirmed the occurrence and said 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 swift response of the troops.”

“The troops quickly mobilized to the scene after receiving the information. They pursued the escaping terrorists and engaged the offenders in a violent battle, overpowering them with superior weaponry with the help and direction of Ariko community members, according to the statement.

It further stated that the assailants were forced to retreat 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 mounting pressure from the advancing troops.”

However, the statement expressed regret that five persons were killed in the incident despite the successful rescue effort.

Sadly, the bodies of five victims who had already been murdered by the terrorists were also found there.

The statement stated, “Blood trails along the terrorists’ escape routes indicate that they 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 said.

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

Reiterating its dedication to national security, the Army stated

“Troops are steadfast in their commitment to maintaining offensive operations against all threats to national security.”

Additionally, it urged the people to provide timely and reliable information to security services, emphasizing that maintaining long-term peace and stability still depends on everyone being vigilant.

In the meantime, the Taraba State Police Command has detained a number of individuals in relation to the murders of three police officers and the Tor Damisa vigilante leader in the state’s Donga Local Government Area.

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

The state Commissioner of Police, Morkwap S. Dongshal, who took over the Command soon after the tragic incident, told reporters that the three service weapons of the deceased police officers had also been found after parading the suspects at the state Police Command.

The CP also disclosed that the Command is pursuing other suspects who are still at large, promising to make sure they are caught wherever they may be hiding throughout Nigeria.

The police said that the suspects provided valuable information that will help the Command find further suspects.

In a similar vein, during a stop-and-search operation, the Command apprehended two individuals who had 304 rounds of live ammunition.

The suspects were captured in Yonko village in Zing LGA of the state. Torme Terzugwe, 39, of Kwande LGA in Benue State, and Job Davi, 39, of Toungo LGA in Adamawa State.

On their way to Ganye LGA in Adamawa State, they were stopped while riding an unregistered motorcycle. The investigation is still in progress.Given that

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 over 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 youth leaders.

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

The Cheld ada met with the local traditional ruler, Tse Kwe Tor Damisa, in Tor Damisa, and as a result, several of the suspects in the horrific deed were apprehended.