By Palang Paul
The Nigerian Army says its troops have dislodged terrorists in Sokoto, arrested a suspected kidnapper and rescued two victims across three states.
The operations were conducted in Sokoto, Nasarawa and Benue states by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma and Operation Whirl Stroke.
In Sokoto State, troops of the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion 7, Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, carried out a clearance operation in Tangaza Local Government Area.
The troops advanced through Manu, Alkasim and Kandam villages towards the Magarya forest axis, where they engaged suspected terrorists in a gun battle.
According to the military, the troops deployed superior firepower, forcing the terrorists to flee deeper into the forest.
A follow-up search of the area led to the recovery of a PKT machine gun, AK-47 rifles, a large quantity of 7.62 x 54mm belted ammunition, several motorcycles and other logistics items.
The Army said the recovery had weakened the terrorists’ operational capability, while troops continued to dominate the area to prevent them from regrouping and protect surrounding communities.
Meanwhile, troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke, arrested a suspected kidnapper and rescued two kidnapped victims in separate operations in Nasarawa and Benue states.
The Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lt Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Zubairu said troops of Sector 2 OPWS arrested a suspected kidnapper identified as Adamu Lamu at Agyaragu in Nasarawa State.
He said the arrest followed the escape of an alleged victim, 31-year-old Nehemiah Elisha, who later spotted Lamu at a market in Agyaragu and alerted the troops.
The troops subsequently moved to the area and apprehended the suspect, who was later handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution.
In Benue State, troops of the COAS Intervention Battalion XI rescued another kidnapped victim, Vincent Nyado, along the Umene–Torkula Road at about 10:07am on Sunday.
Zubairu said Nyado was found tied and abandoned by the roadside after his suspected abductors fled into nearby bushes upon sighting the troops.
He said preliminary information indicated that Nyado was allegedly abducted by suspected terrorists before the troops arrived in the area.
The rescued victim has since been secured, while security personnel are working to obtain further information and identify the fleeing suspects.
Zubairu said troops operating under Operation Whirl Stroke, which covers Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states, would sustain intelligence-led operations in collaboration with other security agencies and local communities.
He urged members of the public to provide credible and timely information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts against terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
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