Lt General Tukur Buratai: Chief of Army Staff

The 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday said it had rescued three men, who were recently abducted by hoodlums, after a shootout in Rivers.

The shootout led to the death of four of the suspected abductors, Capt. Eli Lazarus, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade, said in a statement in Port Harcourt.

“Troops of 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, rescued three kidnap victims today, June 29, in Iba/Obele community in Emohua Local Government Area.

“The victims were kidnapped on Monday in Rumuji, Emuoha Local Government Area while traveling along the East-West Road, and taken to the kidnappers’ camp in Iba/Obele community by the abductors.

“Acting on information, our troops closed in on the criminals and engaged them to rescue the three victims.

“The three men were rescued unhurt while four suspected kidnappers were killed during the operation,’’ the statement said.

Lazarus said the Army’s current operation against secret cultists, kidnappers and other criminal elements was on-going, adding that troops were currently on the trail of some suspects.

He said that the army and other security agencies would not rest till the state was rid of criminals.

The army spokesman urged the public to provide useful information that would lead to arrest of criminals and gave assurance that their identities would be kept secret. (NAN)