The Nigerian Army says its troops have rescued 16 residents abducted by bandits in Tantatu community in Kajuru LGA of Kaduna state.

On Sunday, bandits invaded the Tantatu community around 10 pm and looted food items and other materials from shops and homes.

At least 87 residents of the community were said to have been abducted during the attack.

The incident was the latest attack on Kajuru LGA.

On Saturday, 14 people were kidnapped by gunmen in Dogon Noma community, Kajuru LGA of Kaduna state.

Last Monday, bandits abducted 61 persons in Buda community under Kajuru LGA of Kaduna state.

On March 7, over 200 students and pupils were kidnapped after bandits attacked Government Secondary School Kuriga, Chikun LGA of the state.

In a statement on Monday, Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, said troops responded to the attack on the community on Sunday night.

Nwachukwu said the troops engaged the bandits in gun duels, which led to the rescue of the abducted persons.

“Responding to actionable intelligence, the troops on 17 March 2024 at about 10:30 pm swiftly tracked the insurgents who had earlier attacked the community in numbers and abducted some of the villagers as hostages,” the statement reads.

“On arriving at the scene of the incident, the troops tenaciously pursued the insurgents, engaging them in a ferocious exchange of fire and consequently rescuing 16 kidnapped victims.

“The troops are still exploiting the bushes in continuation of the search and rescue operations.”