Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 16 abducted persons and recovered two AK-47 rifles, three rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bombs, 33 motorcycles and other military equipment during operations against terrorists and kidnappers in Niger State.
The operations, conducted by troops of the 18 Brigade on November 3 and 5, also resulted in the recovery of ammunition, seven rifle magazines and more than ₦4.7 million in cash.
The Army disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 18 Brigade, Captain Adebayo Adewumi.
According to the statement, the major operation took place on November 5, following credible intelligence on the movement of terrorists from Mashegu Local Government Area towards Rijiyan Nagwamatse in Kontagora Local Government Area.
Troops reportedly established an ambush along suspected terrorist routes and engaged the armed men, who had earlier abducted residents of the area.
The encounter led to the neutralisation of an unconfirmed number of the attackers and the rescue of 16 victims.
Items recovered during the operation included two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, three RPG high-explosive anti-personnel bombs, 33 motorcycles, assorted ammunition and ₦4.1 million in cash.
The Army said the rescued victims had received first aid and were handed over to the appropriate authorities for reunification with their families, while the recovered items remained in military custody for further action.
In a related operation on November 3, troops intercepted terrorists moving from Makuku Village in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State towards Tungan Kawo in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.
The statement said the troops engaged the armed men in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat into the surrounding forest with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of five motorcycles, a mobile phone, ₦644,300 and other items.
The Commander of 18 Brigade commended the troops for their gallantry, resilience and commitment to duty, urging them to sustain the operational momentum and intensify efforts to rid the brigade’s area of responsibility of criminal elements.
The Army attributed the successes to its expanding operational presence, improved response capacity and enhanced ability to disrupt the activities and logistics of criminal networks.
The latest operation comes amid renewed security concerns in Niger State, following the abduction of 14 students of an Islamiyya school and their teacher in Tungan-Bako village, Rafi Local Government Area, on October 31.
It also follows attacks on communities in Rafi LGA, which prompted the Niger State House of Assembly to commend the military for repelling the assailants and call for the establishment of additional military bases in vulnerable communities.
The Army said the operations underscored its commitment to protecting communities, responding swiftly to security threats and sustaining pressure on terrorists and kidnappers operating across its area of responsibility.
