Troops of the Nigerian Army have within the last 24 hours rescued no fewer than 24 kidnapped victims, arrested 14 suspects and recovered about 800 rustled cattle in separate operations nationwide.
An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Abuja on Monday, said the troops also foiled terrorist attacks, recovered weapons and intercepted suspected oil thieves within the period under review.
The report revealed that in Kaduna State, the troops of the 312 Army Reconnaissance Battalion responded to a terrorist attack on a civilian and his family at a farm in Kankomi, Chikun Local Government Area.
It said the troops engaged the terrorists, who were riding two motorcycles and armed with AK-47 rifles, forcing them to abandon the kidnapped woman and her son.
According to the report, the two victims were rescued unhurt and reunited with their husband.
The report said in Kogi, the troops of 21 Battalion, supported by vigilantes, rescued two victims from Ojoto Forest in Dekina Local Government Area.
It said that the victims were reportedly kidnapped on Sept. 23 along the Abocho-Ajegwuwa-Dekina road and were rescued after troops exploited the forest.
”In Edo, troops of the 322 Army Reconnaissance Battalion, in conjunction with the police and vigilantes, engaged suspected kidnappers at a ransom collection point in Ewu-Esan, Esan Central Local Government Area in the state.
”The intervention forced the kidnappers to abandon two victims, who sustained machete injuries and were rescued by the troops.
”The victim was administered first aid and evacuated to hospital, but one subsequently died en route due to the severity of his injuries,” it said.
The report further revealed that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke rescued 18 passengers allegedly kidnapped from an 18-seater Yankari Express bus along the Akwanga-Andaha road in Nasarawa State.
It said that troops pursued the suspected kidnappers, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding area.
According to the report, the rescued passengers were released to continue their journey, while efforts to apprehend the perpetrators continued.
”In Plateau, troops of Operation Enduring Peace recovered about 800 cattle allegedly rustled by terrorists in the Kingkis area of Wase Local Government Area.
”The troops engaged the suspected terrorists, forcing them to abandon the cattle and flee into the forest.”
”It added that in the North-East, two suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) family members surrendered to troops of 192 Battalion around Kuranabasa axis of Gwoza.
The report said the two men reportedly escaped from an ISWAP enclave in the Mandara Mountains.
It also said that another suspected ISWAP member surrendered to troops in Monguno, after reportedly escaping from a terrorist camp around Kolorom village in the Lake Chad region.
The report added that the troops also discovered and safely detonated an improvised explosive device along the Gwoza-Wala-Warabe-Pulka road in Borno.
In Adamawa, the report said the troops of Sector four of Operation Hadin Kai apprehended two suspects during a raid on Maki village, Hong Local Government Area.
According to the report, the troops recovered a locally made pistol, a Dane gun, seven cartridges, three daggers and a machete.
It also said that in Borno, troops arrested a suspected terrorist logistics supplier at Rimirgo village, who was allegedly conveying groceries intended for delivery to a terrorist enclave.
”Three suspected terrorist members were separately apprehended at a checkpoint in Mubi North, Adamawa, while travelling from Mubi to Maiduguri.
”In Kogi, troops of 12 Brigade, in conjunction with the Department of State Services, arrested four suspected terrorists at Murtala Mohammed Bridge, Lokoja.
”The suspects were reportedly traveling from Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State towards Agbaja Forest.
”The troops recovered three mobile phones and N22,800 from the suspects, who were handed over to DSS operatives,” it said.
The report further said that troops of 176 Guards Battalion arrested a suspected drug peddler at Kwali area of the Federal Capital Territory, after he was allegedly caught receiving 51 wraps and two compressed packs of suspected cannabis sativa.
”The suspect and recovered items were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action,” it said.
The report also said that troops of 6 Division Garrison arrested three suspected oil thieves at Alakiri general area of Okrika Local Government Area.
It said the suspects were allegedly transporting about 20,000 litres of stolen crude oil in 957 sacks loaded in two wooden boats.
According to the report, the troops also recovered two mobile phones, a pumping machine with pipes and N47,500 cash.
The report further said that about 400 refugees and returnees from the Republic of Niger arrived Damasak, Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno, between Sept. 16 and 25.
”The returnees were screened, profiled and registered before being handed over to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp,” it said.
The report revealed that many of the returnees were former residents of Guzamala, Abadam, Kukawa and Mobbar areas who had fled to Niger following terrorist attacks.
It said the return was reportedly triggered by persistent attacks and kidnappings in Toumbour locality, as well as poor environmental conditions and limited livelihood opportunities.
”Relevant authorities including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Nigeria Immigration Service as well as humanitarian partners are supporting the screening, documentation, and welfare of the returnees,” the report concluded.
