According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, the victims were kidnapped at a farm located around Bakin Kasuwa in the Gwagwada general area of the council.
He said troops on receiving credible intelligence of the abduction trailed the bandits to a forest near Bana village and engaged them in a gun duel.
Aruwan noted that the assault on the bandits led to the rescue of the 13 people.
Speaking further, the commissioner said two people have been killed by bandits in Gwagwada District of the state.
He said the bandits invaded the area and shot two community volunteers to death and also burnt a local church and looted some houses in the area during the operation.
Receiving the report, Governor Nasir El-Rufai thanked the troops and commended them warmly for the successful rescue operation.
He also commiserated with the families of the deceased volunteers and prayed for the repose of their souls.
While sympathising with the leadership and members of the razed church over the unfortunate attack, El-Rufai directed the State Emergency Management Agency to conduct an immediate assessment of the damage.
