Troops rescue 22 kidnap victims, defuse 12 IEDs in Niger, Kwara
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Troops of Operation Savannah Shield have rescued 22 kidnap victims and defused 12 improvised explosive devices, IEDs during operations in Niger and Kwara states, the Defence Headquarters said on Friday.
The operations between September 12 and 17 also led to the neutralisation of five terrorists, recovery of firearms and arrest of suspected spies and collaborators allegedly working for terrorist networks.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in the latest operational update of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The most significant rescue was recorded on September 15 at Muchiya village in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
Troops made contact with terrorists at the location, forcing the gunmen to abandon their captives and flee into the surrounding forest.
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Twenty-two kidnap victims were subsequently rescued and reunited with their families, while three motorcycles were recovered.
The rescue has also been reported separately in connection with a fighting patrol by troops operating in the Rafi axis.
In Kwara State, troops operating around the Kpada/Lade District border in Patigi Local Government Area on September 12 neutralised three terrorists and recovered firearms.
Thirty-five rustled cattle were also recovered and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force.
Two other terrorists were neutralised on September 14 when troops patrolling from Dekara towards Gidan Zana and Sabon Gida in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State encountered the armed group.
A machine gun and ammunition were recovered from the operation.
The military also reported a significant counter-IED operation across the Niger-Kwara axis.
Twelve explosive devices were safely defused between September 12 and 17 in Borgu and Kaiama local government areas.
Nine of the devices were found along the main supply route between Machan-Gyada and Masaka villages.
The affected roads were subsequently declared safe for vehicular movement.
On September 13, troops working with the police and local security groups arrested four suspects at Pissa in Borgu Local Government Area.
The suspects included two men allegedly impersonating military and police personnel.
According to the DHQ, the suspects confessed that terrorist leaders in Sokoto and Katsina states had sent them to gather information on troop positions and recover firearms.
Meanwhile, Operation Whirl Stroke troops recorded arrests in Benue, Kogi and Taraba states.
Four suspects arrested in Kogi State and transferred to the military on September 12 were allegedly identified as informants and logistics suppliers to terrorists operating around Asinwe and Isanlu.
Two of them, described as charcoal dealers, reportedly confessed to assisting terrorists in procuring logistics.
Another suspect allegedly admitted facilitating several kidnap operations and receiving portions of ransom payments running into millions of naira.
In Benue State, troops responding to a distress call along the Anpkechi-Ogobia Road in Ohimini Local Government Area on September 14 recovered an abandoned vehicle and rescued one passenger.
A suspected second-in-command to a wanted criminal gang leader was also arrested at Abako village in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area on September 15.
Six suspects were intercepted along the Wukari-Makurdi Road in Taraba State on September 16, with ammunition recovered.
Troops also discovered ammunition concealed in suspected terrorist hideouts during a cordon-and-search operation in forests around Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
In another operation, troops of Operation Enduring Peace rescued an abducted man and his wife at Ateli village in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State on September 11.
Five days later, troops rescued a two-year-old child abducted alongside his mother at Tayu village in the same local government area and reunited him with his father.
