By Abdul Kareem

After a rigorous investigation, Zagazola Makama has debunked the claims that the Nigeria Police Force played a role in the rescue of kidnapped victims in Bwari. The successful operation, conducted on January 20, was the sole effort of the Nigerian Army’s 197 Special Forces Battalion, which stands in stark contrast to the police’s account of the event.

Soldiers from the battalion have furnished a detailed narrative, supported by photos with geotagged coordinates, of the rescue operation close to the Gurara Dam in the Kachia Local Government Area, following intelligence received around 10 p.m.

Zagazola has confirmed that the army unit acted on the intel with alacrity, pinpointing and retrieving 12 individuals — comprising three women, two young girls, and seven boys — abandoned by their kidnappers. The military’s execution was both swift and precise, securing the area and guaranteeing the safety of those freed.

The report from the military further details an encounter with an ambush by suspected bandits during their return. The soldiers, despite the unexpected assault, successfully neutralized the danger, ensuring no casualties among the rescue team or the victims.

The Disputed Police Claim

The FCT Police Command, on the other hand, released a statement claiming their Anti-Kidnapping squad, supposedly in collaboration with the army, effected the rescue from Kajuru forest in Kaduna state around 11:30 p.m. Police Commissioner CP Haruna G. Garba praised the efforts of the newly formed Special Intervention Squad and their dedication to the security of the Federal Capital Territory.

However, Zagazola Makama’s scrutiny reveals a disparity between the police’s assertions and the verifiable actions undertaken by the army. The army, after the rescue, handed the victims to the police to facilitate family reunions, but at no point was the operation a joint effort.

An army officer involved expressed frustration at the misrepresentation, “Handing over of abduction victims to civil authorities does not constitute a joint operation. It’s disheartening for our soldiers, especially after facing a lethal ambush, to have their efforts overshadowed by claims of a joint police operation.”

There is no substantiating evidence of the police’s claimed involvement in the mission. The Nigerian Army’s independent and successful intervention prevented further danger, independent of police engagement.

Zagazola Makama’s dedication to factual journalism ensures that the public is informed accurately. This fact-check aims to set the record straight and shed light on the true course of events on January 20, underscoring the bravery and competency of the Nigerian Army in executing this vital rescue mission.