By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued seven kidnapped victims, foiled attacks and disrupted terrorist logistics in separate operations nationwide.

The military operational update made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday said the operations were conducted between Sept. 7 and Sept. 9.

The report said the operations also resulted in the arrest of suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and a child trafficker, as well as recovery of weapons and other items.

It added that troops of 1 Brigade, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, rescued six civilians abducted by terrorists at Tsohon Tasha village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara.

According to the report, troops pursued and engaged the terrorists after receiving information on the abduction, forcing them to flee and abandon the victims.

It said the rescued civilians were subsequently taken into military custody for further action.

“In another operation, troops foiled an attempt by terrorists to intercept a vehicle at Kwanoni village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara.

“The suspected terrorists were detected through CCTV surveillance before troops intervened, forcing them to flee into surrounding bushes.

“Troops of 35 Battalion at Forward Operating Base Bakori, Katsina, also recovered a hijacked vehicle after engaging terrorists along the Kurami-Funtua road.

“The terrorists fled and abandoned the vehicle, which was subsequently recovered and handed over to its owner.

“In Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara, troops of 26 Battalion neutralised a terrorist during a fighting patrol.

“The troops recovered N30,350 and four mobile phones from the neutralised terrorist,” it said.

In Sokoto, the report said the troops of CSI Battalion VII encountered six terrorists riding three motorcycles around Bamgi Forest, Gudu Local Government Area.

It said the terrorists fled after troops engaged them, abandoning one motorcycle which was recovered by the troops.

According to the report, drone surveillance subsequently located a temporary terrorist hideout in the area, which was destroyed in situ.

“Under Operation MESA, troops of 322 Army Battalion, in conjunction with police and vigilantes, rescued a kidnap victim at Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo.

“The troops engaged suspected kidnappers near Juju Junction, behind Ambrose Alli University, forcing them to abandon their victim.

“In Oyo State, troops of 2 Division Garrison, supported by vigilantes and technology-enabled intelligence, arrested two suspected kidnappers at Ijana village, Oriire Local Government.

“The suspects were allegedly linked to the Sept.1 kidnapping of a Togolese national around Adeleji village, Igbeti, and recovered 82 cattle and three mobile phones from the suspects,” he said.

The report further revealed that troops of 177 Guards Battalion arrested a suspected child trafficker at Forward Operating Base Mararaba Udege area of Nasarawa State.

It said the suspect was intercepted while conveying a 10-year-old girl from Edo State in a commercial vehicle from Suleja to Otukpo.

According to the report, the suspect claimed to be a dismissed Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel and said the child was given to him by her aunt.

“The girl, however, reportedly denied knowing both the suspect and the alleged aunt during separate interrogation.

“The suspect and the child were handed over to the police for further investigation.

“Under Operation WHIRL STROKE, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE, supported by hunters, arrested three suspected armed robbers at Torkula, Guma Local Government Area of Benue.

“A locally fabricated pistol was recovered from the suspects, who were allegedly involved in robbery activities in the area.

“Under Operation WHIRL PUNCH, troops of 114 Battalion, in conjunction with the Defence Intelligence Agency, raided a suspected gunrunner’s hideout at Katlong, Karim Lamido Local Government Area.

“The operation led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and a magazine linked to weapons allegedly sold in the area,” it added.

The report said the latest operations highlight sustained military pressure against terrorist, kidnapping and criminal networks through intelligence-led operations, rapid response and inter-agency collaboration. (NAN)