The Islamic States in West Africa Province (ISWAP) says it wants a N5 million ransom for the six farmers its fighters abducted in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State on Wednesday.
According to an anonymous source who spoke to Daily Trust, the terrorists are not willing to set free the farmers until the ransom demanded was paid.
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Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in Lake Chad, said the victims, who are displaced people, went missing after they went to their farms at Bulagarji village, located some kilometres away from Mafa town.
Relatives of the victims, who confirmed the incident, told Daily Trust, the insurgents attacked the farmers in the wee hours of Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State government said on Tuesday that there was a counterterrorism operation against the terrorists in the state. It was reported that the operation was taken to bandits’ dens in Kuriga and Manni communities of Chukin Local Government Area of the state where six hostages were rescued afterwards.
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Samuel Aruwan, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs disclosed this in a statement.
He said: “Following the weekend breakthrough, security forces have continued with clearance operations in identified bandit and terrorist enclaves around the state.
“From a recent operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government, troops of Operation Forest Sanity in the early hours of Tuesday carried out a raid, and rescue operations in Kuriga and Manini communities of Chikun local government area.
“According to the report, the troops made contact and engaged bandits at the suspected enclave. After clearing the camp, the troops rescued six kidnapped citizens who were held at the location.
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“The Kaduna State Government has noted the report, and especially the rescue of six kidnapped citizens, with gratitude. The Government warmly commended the troops, police personnel, intelligence operatives, vigilante members and other security forces, for another successful round of operations.
“The Kaduna State Government conveys its deep appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division Nigerian Army, and the Director General, Department of State Services, for the ongoing wave of onslaughts against criminal enclaves.
“Security forces will continue operations in the general area and other locations of interest across the state. Further updates will be reported accordingly.”