Soldiers save 34 kidnap victims, catch ISWAP informant, seize weapons

Nigerian Army troops have rescued 34 kidnap victims, arrested suspected ISWAP informants, and seized weapons across the country in the past 24 hours.

This information came from an operational report shared with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.

The report stated that troops from Operation HADIN KAI rescued 31 victims taken by terrorists along the Buratai-Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno.

The rescue happened after soldiers from the 135 Special Forces Battalion spotted ISWAP/JAS terrorists taking civilians from four vehicles using CCTV surveillance.

According to the report, the troops quickly sent a response team, confronted the terrorists, and made them leave the victims behind, along with a motorcycle they abandoned.

“In another operation, troops of 145 Battalion carried out a patrol in the Turoh area of Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area.

The terrorists reportedly ran away when they saw the soldiers, leaving behind two motorcycles and illegal drugs found during the search of the area.

“Also, troops from the 232 Battalion Tactical arrested a suspected ISWAP informant at Garaha Market in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa,” the report stated.

In the North-west, the report showed that soldiers from Operation FANSAN YAMMA confronted terrorists moving with stolen cattle in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara.

The troops’ stronger firepower forced the terrorists to flee in confusion during the clash.

The report also mentioned that troops from Operation MESA rescued a kidnapped woman and her two children along the old Obajana-Jakura-Tajimi road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi.

Preliminary findings revealed that the victims were taken on 29 July from a Ruga settlement in the Gada-Biyu area of the same local government.

“In Plateau State, troops from Operation Enduring Peace responded to reports of an attack on a herder in Bassa Local Government Area.

The attackers had escaped before the troops arrived, and the deceased along with the recovered cattle were given to the victim’s family,” it added.

In the South-east, the report said troops from Operation UDO KA made a significant move by arresting three suspected terrorists linked to the ambush on troops in Imo on May 4.

The operation took place in Delta and Imo states, based on intelligence from earlier arrests.

According to the report, troops seized four AK-47 rifles, one FN rifle, a pistol, 11 AK-47 magazines, two FN magazines, 239 rounds of various ammunition, a fragmentation jacket, and other military gear from terrorist camps.

“The seized weapons included rifles taken during the May ambush on troops, while further searches led to the discovery of another terrorist camp with more arms and ammunition,” it stated. (NAN)