By. Usman Sani.Nigerian Army says troops of One Division Kaduna have engaged armed bandits kidnapping commuters at Manini Village along Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highway.In a statement by Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt Colonel Musa Yahaya says the troops were escorting the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Major General Solomon Udonwa who was on operational visits to Operation Whirl Punch headquarters in Birnin Gwari, when the troops engaged the bandits and overpowered them forcing the criminal element to withdraw in disarray.The statement notes that the troops rescued thirty kidnapped victims, recovered two motorcycles and immediately cleared the highway for free flow of vehicular traffic.It maintains that the rescued victims were escorted to Udawa and Birnin Gwari to continue their journey.The statement adds that the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Major General Solomon Udonwa commends the troops for their professionalism and resilience.