The Nigerian Army has successfully foiled an attempted infiltration by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and rescued six kidnapped victims in separate operations. According to an operational report, troops engaged the terrorists and forced them to retreat towards the Yuwe axis in Borno. The report, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, detailed significant occurrences between September 26 and 27.
In Borno, troops recovered cannabis sativa, tramadol tablets, cigarette butts, and a muffler reportedly abandoned by the fleeing terrorists during exploitation of their withdrawal route on September 26. Several suspected terrorist family members also surrendered to troops between September 19 and 25 in Dikwa, Bama, and Ngala Local Government Areas. They included women and children who escaped terrorist enclaves and camps amid factional clashes, internal disagreements, and hardship.
In Zamfara, troops of 1 Brigade Combat Team 7 responded to suspected terrorist activities in Tsafe Local Government Area at about 1:10 a.m. on September 26. The troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to withdraw towards adjoining farmlands and abandon six kidnapped victims. The rescued victims were taken into military custody for further action.
In Plateau, troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) foiled an alleged cattle-rustling operation at Sabon Layi community in Wase Local Government Area. Troops' intervention forced the suspected terrorists to abandon 57 cattle and flee the area. The recovered cattle were moved to the military base for subsequent handover to their owners.
Additionally, in Plateau, troops arrested a suspected kidnapper while allegedly collecting ransom from victims around a forest in Riyom Local Government Area. The suspect was arrested with N1.9 million, which he reportedly claimed was proceeds from the sale of cattle. In Mangu Local Government Area, troops responded to an alleged militia attack on Lawet community.
In Taraba, troops of 6 Brigade Garrison, in conjunction with 6 Military Intelligence Regiment, arrested a suspected drug trafficker at Atoshi Park, Wukari. The suspect was intercepted following a tip-off and allegedly found with 94 wraps of a substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, reportedly destined for Kano.
The General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander Operation Enduring Peace, Maj.-Gen. Maxwell Dangana, held a stakeholders' meeting in Barkin Ladi, Plateau, to address persistent killings and reprisals in the area. Dangana also visited Operation Enduring Peace Sector 8 headquarters in Mangu to inspect proposed locations for the newly established 236 Tank Battalion.
Key points
- Nigerian troops foil ISWAP infiltration in Borno and rescue six kidnapped victims in Zamfara.
- Troops recover abandoned items and cattle in separate operations in Borno and Plateau.
- The military conducts various operations to address terrorism and banditry across the country.
