TROOPS of the Nigerian Army on counter-terrorism and insurgency operations in Benue State have thwarted a kidnapping attempt in the Zaki-Biam Local Government Area of the state.
The kidnappers had stormed Zaki-Biam town but the prompt arrival of the troops, following a distress call from a member of the community, prevented them from abducting residents.
Last week, troops across the various theatres of operations rescued a total of 133 kidnapped citizens.
A statement on Monday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the troops successfully thwarted the kidnap attempt in Benue State, after a gun duel.
He noted that one of the kidnappers was killed during the shootout. He said, “In another development, troops responded to a distress call and successfully foiled a kidnap attempt within Zaki-Biam town in Zaki-Biam Local Government Area of Benue State.
“During the intervention, troops neutralised one kidnapper in a shootout with the criminals and recovered a Beretta pistol with four rounds of 9mm ammunition.”
Onyema also said troops, in collaboration with vigilantes, arrested a gun runner identified as Mansir Mohammed at Jalingo Motor Park in Taraba State.
He said Mohammed was supplying arms to terrorists, adding that his arrest led to the apprehension of other members of his syndicate.
Onyema said, “In Taraba State, troops, in collaboration with vigilantes, acted on actionable intelligence to apprehend one Mansir Mohammed at Jalingo Motor Park, who has been reportedly involved in gun-running activities with terrorists.
“His arrest led to the nabbing of other members of his syndicate and the recovery of one semi-automatic pump-action gun, one locally-fabricated gun, a Peugeot car, five mobile phones, and the sum of N45,000 only.”
In another operation in Taraba State, Onyema noted that troops on patrol apprehended two suspected terrorists who had concealed an automatic rifle beneath the seat of the motorbike they were riding.
He said, “In a separate operation, troops on routine patrol at Miyande Village in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State have intercepted two terrorist suspects who concealed an automatic rifle underneath the seat of a motorbike on which they rode. The vigilant troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and a motorcycle.
“These successful operations underscore the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism and insurgency in its strive to ensure security in the country. We urge members of the public to continue to support our troops as they conduct their operations.”