Army neutralises nine terrorists, rescues 37 kidnap victims

Army neutralises nine terrorists, rescues 37 kidnap victims

The Nigerian Army has recorded another major success in the ongoing onslaught against terrorists and other non-state actors across the country.

In coordinated ground and joint operations the troops neutralised nine terrorists, including five Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’at Ahl al-Sunna li al-Da’wa wa al-Jihad (JAS), a Boko Haram splinter group, in Borno.

They also neutralized two terrorists in a border between Ekiti and Kogi state, and one in Delta State.

A military source told The Nation on Wednesday that troops recovered several weapons and logistics items from criminals in the operations that were conducted between October 2 to 6.

Providing details on the operations, the source said 151 Task Force Battalion ambushed ISWAP/JAS terrorists at Dipchari in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, and in the firefight that ensued five terrorists were killed.

“Similarly, 148 Battalion operating around the Iyemero community on the Ekiti–Kogi border neutralized two insurgents and recovered two new AK-47 rifles. While 3 Battalion repelled a large-scale attack on its location, inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorists, with one confirmed killed and several others escaping with gunshot wounds,” the source said.

“Trroops also arrested 8 criminal suspects for various offences including terrorism, kidnapping and illegal possession of weapons across Borno, Katsina, Imo and Plateau States.

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“Among the arrests were an ISWAP logistics courier in Monguno, a suspected terrorist collaborator in Kukawa in Borno State, a wanted IPOB/ESN kingpin in Imo State, and a suspected gunrunner in Plateau State.”

According to the military source, troops rescued 37 kidnap victims across Kaduna, Taraba, Plateau, Delta and Kebbi States, in ongoing clearance operations.

“Notably, 28 locals were freed from terrorist captivity in Sakaba, Kebbi State, including a pregnant woman who gave birth during the rescue,” the source said.

“In separate missions, troops in Kaduna and Delta States rescued a total of seven kidnapped civilians, while another two victims were freed in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State following a swift response by troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE.”

The source said troops have continued to intensify anti-smuggling and anti-oil theft operations in the South South, noting that in Imo State, combined forces of 34 Artillery Brigade and Operation DELTA SAFE uncovered multiple illegal refining sites, and destroyed over 20,000 litres of stolen crude and refined products.

“Troops equally recovered one dane gun, one fabricated pistol, three AK-47 magazines, 12 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 93 belted rounds of 7.62mm NATO and several motorcycles used for criminal activities,” he said.

The source acknowledged the contributions of sister services, security agencies and local vigilantes, whose cooperation it said have continued to enhance the success of ongoing military onslaughts against terrorists and other non-state actors.

He assured Nigerians of the unwavering commitment of the Army to “create a safer environment that will boost economic and agricultural activities in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to food security.”

Army neutralises nine terrorists, rescues 37 kidnap victims