Troops from the Nigerian Military’s 1 Division have neutralised 14 insurgents and rescued kidnapped victims in current operations in Niger and Kaduna states, the navy introduced Sunday.
In an announcement through X, military spokesman Lt. Col. Musa Yahaya mentioned the troops cleared out rebel hideouts, making “vital recoveries” of weapons and releasing captives.
“On Saturday in Niger State, troopers engaged insurgents at Madawaki village, killing two and forcing others to flee. They recovered AK-47 rifles, magazines, and a motorbike.
“On the camp of slain rebel chief Ali Kachalla, troops rescued 13 male kidnap victims taken in October. In addition they discovered a passport linked to a high-profile rebel affiliate.
“Troops proceeded to the camp of eradicated insurgents chief, Ali Kachalla the place his foot troopers cowardly absconded on troops’ strategy.
“Search of the camp led to the rescue of 13 kidnap victims, all males. The victims revealed to have been kidnapped in Niger State on 13 October 2023.
“Objects recovered from the camp included a world passport suspected to belong to a excessive profile affiliate of the insurgents,” the assertion famous.
Comparable raids in Kaduna State on Thursday and Friday resulted in eight insurgents killed and caches of weapons, money and automobiles seized, Yahaya mentioned.
“An ambush close to Maro junction freed one abductee and led to 3 kidnappers killed. Early Saturday, one other rebel was neutralized in Kwanar Batero.
“Additionally, troops working on the Kachia axis on 21 December 2023 in response to a kidnap incident efficiently launched an ambush alongside Maro junction and made contact with the legal kidnappers.
“Within the fireplace struggle that ensued, troops neutralized 3 of the abductors with others escaping with gunshot wounds. Troops recovered the sum of fifteen thousand naira, two cell phones, one motorbike and two cutlasses and in addition rescued an kidnapped particular person.
“The rescued sufferer, Mr Rabiu Ahmed (25 years previous) was rushed to a close-by navy hospital. He was subsequently handled, and his dispossessed gadgets returned to him and reunited along with his household,” the assertion added.
Commander of Operation Whirl Punch, Maj. Gen. Valentine Okoro, praised the troops for denying insurgency within the area. He mentioned the military stays dedicated to stabilising safety in northern Nigeria.