Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 46 kidnapped victims and neutralised a suspected militia member in separate operations across the country within the last 24 hours.
An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday said the troops also recovered firearms, disrupted terrorist activities and rescued other victims during the operations.
In Zamfara State, troops of Combat Team 7 responded to terrorist activities around Fegen Baza and the Setraco Company area in Tsafe Local Government Area.
The report said the troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to abandon 41 civilians and withdraw towards adjoining farmlands.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that one of the vehicles attacked was travelling from Senegal to Kano State.
In Kebbi State, troops of the 223 Battalion operating from the Forward Operating Base in Bena responded to information about terrorists moving with suspected kidnap victims around Sawade village in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.
The troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to flee towards Dan Lai Forest and abandon two kidnapped victims.
The victims were rescued and handed over to the District Head of Bena for further action.
In Niger State, troops of the 45 Battalion, supported by vigilantes, engaged terrorists during a fighting patrol around Alabani village in Mariga Local Government Area.
The troops reportedly forced the terrorists to abandon their kidnapped victims and flee. One vigilante sustained a gunshot wound but was said to be in stable condition.
In Anambra State, troops of the 185 Battalion, working with the Department of State Services (DSS) and vigilantes, rescued three civilians who had been kidnapped at Osaukwa Bridge in Ihiala Local Government Area.
Troops of Operation UDO KA also conducted an offensive operation against an alleged Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) camp at Ugbene in Awka North Local Government Area.
The operation involved troops of the 197 Special Forces Battalion, the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service and the DSS, with close air support.
According to the report, drone surveillance detected improvised explosive devices laid along the route to the camp before the troops engaged the suspected terrorists.
The Army said casualties among the suspects could not be confirmed because of the thick vegetation in the area.
It added that troops subsequently trailed the kidnappers and forced them to abandon their victims along the route before fleeing into surrounding bushes.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace engaged suspected militia members at Rugan Jallo following an earlier attack on three women along Rakung Road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
The troops reportedly neutralised one suspected militia member and recovered two motorcycles.
In Taraba State, troops of the 114 Battalion, working with a Defence Intelligence Agency composite team, raided an illegal arms store at Abbare in Lau Local Government Area.
The operation resulted in the recovery of one K2 rifle, one K2 magazine, one submachine gun, one magazine, 10 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and six rounds of 9mm ammunition.
In Delta State, troops of the 63 Brigade Garrison arrested a suspected criminal allegedly carrying a firearm along the Issele-Asaba Road in Aniocha North Local Government Area.
The suspect was reportedly arrested while loitering around Cubana Estate with a group of people.
The suspect and the recovered firearm were handed over to the 63 Provost Company for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the Army said it had operationalised the 12 and 28 Infantry Battalions at Bakura and Anka Local Government Areas of Zamfara State on September 28.
The Acting Commander, 1 Brigade, who represented the General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, charged the troops to remain committed to tackling insecurity within their areas of responsibility.
