Troops rescue 87 victims, repel terrorist attacks in 3 states

Troops of the Nigerian Army rescued 87 civilians in separate operations and repelled terrorist attacks in Kebbi, Niger and Kogi states, recovering weapons and motorcycles.

The operations were conducted between Oct. 6 and Oct. 7, according to an operational report made available to our reporter.

In Kebbi, the report said the troops of 8 Division Strike Force Battalion at Forward Operating Base Maiyama came under attack by about 100 terrorists armed with sophisticated weapons.

According to the report, troops fought back and were reinforced by personnel from Forward Operating Bases Kwarikwasa and Koko, as well as the 1 Battalion Quick Reaction Force.

It said the reinforcements enabled the troops to engage the terrorists, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds and abandoning one AK-47 rifle, 120 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one magazine and 17 motorcycles.

In Niger, it said the troops of 18 Brigade, Operation Savannah Shield, acting on human intelligence about the movement of terrorists on about 300 motorcycles, encountered an ambush along the Tegina-Garin Gabas-Zungeru road.

The report said troops engaged the terrorists and subsequently rescued 84 locals who had been trapped in Kundu Village, Rafi Local Government Area.

It added that one terrorist was found dead, while troops recovered one motorcycle, a mobile phone and two locally made guns.

“Two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds and were evacuated to 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, but one of them died while being evacuated.

“In Kogi, troops of Sector 1, Operation Whirl Stroke, rescued three kidnapped victims after responding to a distress call along the Okene bypass.

“The troops found an abandoned vehicle and traced the kidnappers’ route before the criminals, on sighting the troops, abandoned the victims and fled.

“One of the rescued victims sustained gunshot wounds and was evacuated to a hospital, while the other two were assisted to continue their journey,” it said.

The report further revealed that troops of Forward Operating Base Shagari responded to a terrorist blockade along the Shagari-Tambuwal road in Sokoto State and successfully cleared the route.

It said the operation restored free movement of motorists and pedestrians along the road.

In Plateau, it added that troops of Sector 4, Operation Enduring Peace, rescued a civilian attacked by suspected militia members along the Rarin-Sho road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

According to the report, the victim, who sustained machete cuts, was evacuated to the Primary Health Centre, Sho, while his motorcycle was recovered.

“The troops also responded to another attack around Rentis Road, Kafi Abu-Kurra, where they found one person dead and another with gunshot wounds.

“The injured victim was evacuated to the General Hospital, Barkin Ladi, while the deceased was deposited at a morgue,” it added.