By Matthew Abi
#TrackNigeria: The 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday rescued the Sheikh Ahmed Suleiman, a renowned Islamic cleric and 5 others of the Jammaatul Izalatul Bidia Wa Iqamatus Sunna from kidnappers.
A statement by the Army and made available to Newsdiaryonline said the kidnap of the cleric occurred on March 14, 2019 along Kakumi – Kankara road in Kankara local government of Katsina.
According to the statement, “The Chief of Army staff COAS, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai on hearing this incident gave a marching order to the 17 Brigade Nigerian Army to carry out an immediate rescue operation in order to rescue the kidnapped victims.
“Instructively, the Nigerian Army Directorate of Military Intelligence provided actionable intelligence and constant guidance for the Brigade in this regard.
“Sustained covert, surveillance as well as tactical lines of operations were orchestrated in concurrency by the Brigade in close synchronization with relevant security agencies.
“However, the efforts of the 17 Brigade finally led to the rescue of the kidnapped victims by 0058 hours earlier today. It is of great interest that as we speak the rescued clerics are intact in good health condition as ascertained by the medical examination already conducted on them at 17 Brigade Medical Centre.
“The Nigerian Army seize this opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of Nigerian Army and by extension 17 Brigade to safety of lives and property in Katsina State as well as the Country at large.
“The Brigade relishes the ever-assuring support of the COAS particularly as we remain professionally responsive to perform our constitutional roles always.
“Our synergy and collaboration with relevant security agencies remain the indispensable force enabler in this context,” it read.
