Nigerian troops have conducted successful operations against terrorist groups, intercepting 43 family members of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and rescuing nine kidnapped victims. The operations, which took place across the country, also led to the arrest of suspected kidnappers and collaborators, as well as the recovery of several weapons and ammunition. According to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the troops of 222 Battalion intercepted the 43 ISWAP terrorist family members at Kawuri, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno.
The intercepted persons were subsequently handed over to 7 Multinational Intervention Brigade for further action. Preliminary investigation revealed that the group escaped from terrorist captivity in Yuwe during clashes between JAS and ISWAP terrorists. In a separate operation, troops of 192 Battalion intercepted a female ISWAP terrorist family member along the Gwoza-Limankara road in Gwoza Local Government Area. The woman escaped from a terrorist enclave in Chikide, on the Mandara Mountains.
Troops of 1 Brigade also rescued five kidnapped victims, including the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara, from suspected terrorists’ captivity. The victims were rescued at a suspected terrorist camp around Sekpore village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, after troops established blocking positions around Sekpore and Sabon Gari. The report said the victims had recently been relocated from Abaniyawa terrorist camp following military pressure.
Several other victims escaped during the operation, and one of the rescued victims was reunited with his family, while the others were evacuated to 1 Brigade Medical Centre for medical attention. In another operation, troops of Counter-Terrorism 4 responded to a terrorist attack on a vehicle and engaged the attackers along the Gusau-Sokoto road. The terrorists fled into surrounding bushes, enabling the troops to rescue four civilian occupants of the vehicle.
In Borno, troops of 149 Battalion and Civilian Joint Task Force arrested a suspected kidnapper at Gubio town and recovered an AK-47 rifle. The suspect subsequently led troops to Ardimini village, where they recovered an AK-47 magazine loaded with 12 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Troops of 159 Task Force Battalion and Nigerian Forest Guards also arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator at Geidam market.
The troops recovered a mobile phone and N296,000 from the collaborator. Operation Savannah Shield also raided a suspected terrorist camp at Alogomo, Edu Local Government Area of Niger. Although the terrorists reportedly fled before troops arrived, the troops recovered an AK-47 magazine containing eight rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and destroyed the camp.
Operation Whirl Stroke arrested two suspected kidnappers along the Otukpo-Makurdi road in Benue and recovered an AK-47 rifle, 25 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and a motorcycle. Troops also arrested a suspected gunrunner, further demonstrating their commitment to curbing terrorist activities in the region.
Key points
- Troops intercepted 43 ISWAP family members and rescued 9 kidnapped victims
- Operations led to the arrest of suspected kidnappers and collaborators
- Several weapons and ammunition were recovered during the operations
