Troops
Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued no fewer than 24 kidnap victims, arrested 14 suspects, and recovered approximately 800 rustled cattle in various counter-insurgency and anti-crime operations across the country within the last 24 hours.
According to an operational report released on Monday, the military interventions also led to the interception of suspected oil thieves, the destruction of improvised explosive devices, and the surrender of several insurgents.
Rescue Operations Across States
In Kaduna State, troops of the 312 Army Reconnaissance Battalion responded to a terrorist attack on a farm in Kankomi, Chikun Local Government Area, forcing motorcycle-riding gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles to abandon a kidnapped woman and her son, both of whom were rescued unhurt.
In Nasarawa State, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke rescued 18 passengers who were abducted from an 18-seater Yankari Express bus along the Akwanga-Andaha road after pursuing the kidnappers into surrounding bushes.
In Kogi State, troops of the 21 Battalion, supported by local vigilantes, rescued two victims abducted on September 23 along the Abocho-Ajegwuwa-Dekina road during a clearance operation in the Ojoto Forest, Dekina LGA.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, troops of the 322 Army Reconnaissance Battalion, alongside police and vigilantes, engaged kidnappers at a ransom collection point in Ewu-Esan, Esan Central LGA.
Two victims with machete wounds were rescued, though one tragically succumbed to severe injuries while being evacuated to the hospital.
Troops achieved significant operational gains in the North-East and other geopolitical zones.
Two ISWAP family members surrendered to troops of the 192 Battalion near the Kuranabasa axis in Gwoza, Borno State, after escaping from the Mandara Mountains.
Another ISWAP fighter surrendered to troops in Monguno after fleeing a camp in Kolorom, Lake Chad region.
Troops discovered and safely detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along the Gwoza-Wala-Warabe-Pulka road in Borno State.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace recovered 800 rustled cattle in the Kingkis area of Wase LGA after engaging fleeing terrorists.
Sector 4 of Operation Hadin Kai arrested two suspects in Hong LGA, Adamawa State, recovering a locally made pistol, Dane gun, cartridges, and blades.
Additional arrests included a terrorist logistics supplier in Rimirgo, Borno State; three suspected insurgents in Mubi North, Adamawa; four suspects intercepted by 12 Brigade and the DSS at the Murtala Mohammed Bridge in Lokoja, Kogi State; and a drug peddler with 51 wraps of cannabis in Kwali, FCT, who was handed over to the NDLEA.
Anti-Crude Oil Theft and Refugee Influx
In the Niger Delta, troops of the 6 Division Garrison arrested three suspected oil thieves in the Alakiri area of Okrika LGA, Rivers State, confiscating two wooden boats conveying approximately 20,000 liters of stolen crude oil packaged in 957 sacks.
The report also noted that nearly 400 Nigerian refugees and returnees arrived in Damasak, Mobbar LGA of Borno State, from the Republic of Niger between September 16 and 25.
The returnees who originally fled Guzamala, Abadam, Kukawa, and Mobbar due to past insurgent attacks returned following escalating insecurity and harsh living conditions in Niger’s Toumbour region.
They have been profiled and registered by the Nigeria Immigration Service, UNHCR, and humanitarian partners before placement in IDP facilities.
