Armed bandits have released two kidnapped Customs officers to troops of the 17 Brigade of the Nigeria Army in Katsina State.
The bandits had on January 8 abducted the Customs officers at Mallammawa town in Jibia Local Government Area of the state.
The acting Commander of the brigade, Brigadier Bello Idris, while handing over the victims to officials of the Nigeria Customs Service Area Command in the state, said the bandits released the victims unconditionally.
He said the ongoing intensive operation Hadarin Daji commenced in the past few days with attacks at several bandits hideouts had led to the neutralisation of several armed bandits and forced many of their leaders to seek peace.
Idris said, “The bandits who earlier kidnapped two Customs officers on 8 January 2020 at Mallammawa town in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State have called for peace.
“The bandits after testing the might of the Nigerian military have unconditionally released the two Customs officers to headquarters of 17 Brigade in the morning hours of today, 12 January 2020.
“Some armed bandit leaders who sent messages through emissaries to the acting General Officer Commanding 8 Division Nigerian Army who oversees operations in Katsina and Zamfara states, have indicated readiness to embrace peace without any conditions attached.”
He said the military would continue to remain resolute to ensure complete disarming of bandits before considering the peace deal as announced by the various state governments in the North West.