Security forces at the weekend killed two suspected kidnappers and rescued six victims in operations executed in Kaduna and Katsina states.

The kidnap suspects were neutralized and four victims rescued by troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The other two victims of kidnapping were rescued by members of a local vigilante group at Na’alma, Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State on Friday night.

The rescue operation in Kaduna was said to have been launched following the kidnapping of passengers along the Kafanchan-Kwoi road at Afana Daji village on Friday night.

According to security expert, Zagazola Makama, troops mobilised to the scene of the kidnapping where they rescued a victim with gunshot wounds.

“Acting on credible intelligence, troops launched an offensive operation on February 15 at approximately 1600 hours in the Angwan Rimi Forest, where they engaged the kidnappers in a gunfight. Two of the criminals were neutralised during the encounter.

“A search of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, eight rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 10 mobile phones, foodstuffs, and a cash sum of ₦1,136,000.

“The remaining three kidnapped victims identified as Mr. Mathew Ayemowa, Mr. Tunde Salam, and Mr. Mustapha Mohammed were successfully rescued,” Makama stated.

In Katsina State, the victims of kidnapping were rescued after a fierce encounter between the terrorists and the vigilantes, which forced the criminals to abandon their hostages and flee in disarray.

The terrorists were also said to have abandoned two of their motorcycles, their footwear and other belongings.