Abuja: Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised eight terrorists, rescued 30 kidnapped victims, and recovered several weapons in operations conducted nationwide. These operations took place between August 31 and September 1, as reported by the military operational update made available to News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the report detailed various successful engagements by the Nigerian troops. In Borno, the troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, Sector 1, Operation HADIN KAI, neutralised a terrorist after encountering an ambush involving a concealed improvised explosive device. The operation, which took place at Miyanti-Banki Junction in Bama Local Government Area, resulted in the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, 14 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, and an IED initiator. Unfortunately, one soldier lost his life, and another was injured in the engagement, and a military gun truck was damaged.
In Yobe, the combined efforts of troops from the 120 Task Force Battalion and the Civilian Joint Task Force led to the neutralisation of another terrorist at Lamusuri, Gujba Local Government Area. The troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 90 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, and a body pouch. Additionally, in Borno’s Abadam Local Government Area, an air strike successfully neutralised three terrorists and destroyed structures used as hideouts.
Troops from the 211 Demonstration Battalion, Operation MESA, made significant progress in Bauchi State by neutralising two terrorists and rescuing nine kidnapped victims from Makodi Gwamnare Forest in Ningi LGA. They recovered eight mobile phones and N1.48 million from the terrorists, and the rescued individuals were reunited with their families.
In Kogi, efforts by the 21 Battalion, in collaboration with the police, Department of State Services, and local hunters, led to the rescue of 21 victims, including eight males and 13 females, from Egume-Ochaja Forest in Dekina LGA. A male victim who sustained a gunshot wound was stabilised at a military medical facility.
In other operations, troops of the 17 Brigade and an Office of the National Security Adviser tactical team neutralised two terrorists and destroyed two motorcycles during a patrol in Kogo Village, Matazu LGA, Katsina. In Zamfara, after reacting to intelligence on cattle rustling, troops were ambushed at Bude Village, Bungudu Local Government Area, but successfully forced the terrorists to abandon the rustled cattle.
In Plateau, four suspected criminals were arrested, and weapons including a locally fabricated firearm, were recovered at Exland Village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. Troops in Delta intercepted a trailer transporting illegally mined ilmenite and arrested two suspects along the Bomadi-Oro Junction road. In Rivers, troops engaged armed oil thieves at Oboburu community, causing the suspects to flee, with one sustaining gunshot wounds, and discovered an illegal refining site in Okarki Forest, recovering equipment and stolen crude oil.
The report highlighted the military’s continued reliance on intelligence, joint operations, and sustained offensive action to disrupt terrorists, kidnappers, criminal networks, and economic saboteurs across Nigeria.