Troops of 18 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued 84 local residents after engaging terrorists in a gun battle along the Tegina–Garin Gabas–Zungeru road in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, conducted under Operation Savannah Shield, followed credible human intelligence on the movement of terrorists riding about 300 motorcycles around Kwange village.

The troops reportedly established blocking positions and encountered an ambush by the terrorists at Kwanan Barau along the route.

The troops engaged the attackers in a firefight and successfully rescued 84 locals who had been held by the terrorists at Kundu village.

During the encounter, one terrorist was neutralised, while the troops recovered one motorcycle, one mobile phone and two locally fabricated Dane guns.

However, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the engagement and were evacuated to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, for medical attention.

One of the wounded soldiers unfortunately died while being evacuated to the hospital.

The troops have continued operations in the area to track the fleeing terrorists and secure the affected communities and major routes. (Zagazola)