Troops Neutralise Eight Notorious Terrorists, Rescue Abducted Victims
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
Troops of the Nigerian Army have eliminated 8 notorious terrorist fighters and recovered a haul of firearms.
Disclosing this on Monday, the NA said the feat was achieved in a sweeping move to crush the remaining terrorists and insurgents in the North East, which saw the dismantling of a network involved in kidnapping for ransom, the rescue of victims, and the capture of an arms supplier.
The NA said that on September 22, 2024, troops stationed in Borno State thwarted an attempt by terrorists to raid villages for supplies and logistics. After an intense firefight, three of the assailants were taken out.
The troops recovered 1 light machine gun, 1 AK-47 rifle, 2 hand grenades, 5 AK-47 rifle magazines, 200 linked rounds of light machine guns, and other materials, including Fifteen Thousand Naira (₦15,000) and a Techno phone seized at the scene.
In another clash, while acting on credible information, troops cornered terrorists, escorting abducted victims through Uvaha village in Gwoza Local Government Area.
Despite heavy rain, 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 State, 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 neutralisation of 4 terrorists in Madza and Azare villages of Gujba Local Government Area.
The soldiers captured 2 AK-47 rifles and 2 empty Ak-47 rifle magazines, as well as other sundry items.
Relatedly, troops deployed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja also acted on credible intelligence information about the movement of a terrorist collaborator who specialises in supplying arms and ammunition to terrorists.
The troops, in synergy with other security agencies, activated a stop and search operation on suspected vehicles, leading to the arrest of a suspect in the Kugbo general area of FCT.
A search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of 178 rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition concealed in a bag of flour.
Also recovered from the suspect is a mobile phone and the sum of Twenty Nine Thousand Naira (₦29,000.00) only.
