The Nigerian military has announced that it successfully neutralized eight notorious terrorists and liberated 16 kidnapped hostages in sweeping counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country.
Releasing an official statement on Monday through its social media platform, the Army revealed that, in addition to the successful neutralization of the terrorist fighters and the rescue of the hostages, the troops also recovered a substantial cache of firearms during the course of the operations.
The official statement disclosed that troops deployed in the Borno region successfully thwarted an attempted terrorist raid on local villages aimed at procuring supplies and logistics.
The Nigerian Army also confirmed that the troops had successfully seized a significant arsenal of weapons and equipment from the terrorists, including a light machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, two hand grenades, five AK-47 rifle magazines, 200 linked rounds of ammunition for the light machine gun, and various other materials, such as mobile phones and an undisclosed sum of money.
It further disclosed that, in a separate engagement, troops were able to successfully ambush a group of terrorists escorting kidnapped victims through Uvaha village in the Gwoza Local Government Area. Acting on reliable intelligence, the troops were able to corner the terrorists and engage them in a clash, ultimately freeing the 16 hostages and neutralizing five of the assailants in the process.
It said, “Despite heavy rainfall, the troops went after the terrorists and eliminated one of them, forcing the others to flee, leaving behind 16 hostages.
“Among the freed victims were 10 men and 6 women. A follow-up search of the area uncovered two grenades, a bag of fish and sundry items.
“Meanwhile, in Yobe, troops set up a well-planned ambush while acting on intelligence about a group of terrorists receiving supplies from their collaborators.
“This led to the neutralization of 4 terrorists in Madza and Azare villages of Gujba Local Government Area.
“The soldiers captured two AK-47 rifles and two empty Ak-47 rifle magazines, as well as other sundry items.”
According to the Nigerian Army’s social media post, troops in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) worked in close cooperation with other security agencies to implement stop-and-search operations targeting vehicles deemed suspicious. Through this joint effort, the security forces were able to apprehend individuals who were detained for further questioning at Kugbo, Abuja.
During the course of the stop-and-search operations in Kugbo, Abuja, the troops uncovered a cache of ammunition concealed within a bag of flour that was being transported by one of the detained suspects. Upon conducting a thorough search of the suspect’s belongings, 178 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition were recovered.
He said, “Also recovered from the suspect is a mobile phone and the sum of ₦29,000.
“All these efforts underscore the Nigerian Army’s unflinching dedication to wiping out terrorism, insurgency, and sundry crimes.
“The public is encouraged to keep sharing tips and useful information with security forces for prompt action.”
