Troops rescue abducted Kwara king, neutralise terrorists in nationwide operations

The Nigerian troops have rescued the abducted king of Igbesi Kingdom in Kwara and neutralised several terrorists in operations conducted between Aug. 27 and Aug. 28 across the country.

The operations also resulted in the destruction of terrorist enclaves, recovery of weapons and disruption of criminal activities in several states.

This is contained in an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.

The report said troops of Operation Savanna Shield, in conjunction with the police, forest guards and hunters, rescued the abducted king and two women.

It said the victims were rescued during a search-and-rescue operation at a terrorist hideout in Isin Local Government Area of Kwara.

According to the report, troops engaged the terrorists during the operation and neutralised one of them before rescuing the victims, who were evacuated to a hospital for medical attention.

The report also revealed that troops of Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised two terrorists and recovered two AK-47 rifles and three motorcycles during an encounter at Maikujera in Sokoto state.

It said that troops had mobilised to intercept a large group of armed terrorists reportedly moving from Zamfara into Sokoto state.

According to the report, the terrorists ambushed the troops at a bridge linking Rabah and Maikujera villages, but the troops fought through the ambush and overwhelmed them with superior firepower.

“In Katsina, troops of 17 Brigade, supported by the Office of the National Security Adviser Tactical Team, conducted clearance operations against terrorist enclaves in Matazu Local Government Area.

“The operation targeted terrorist enclaves at Maharba, Karaduwa and Kachalla Muhammadu Filani, a notorious terrorist leader operating in Matazu and Musawa Local Government Areas.

“Supported by air assets, the troops destroyed the identified enclaves and recovered an RPG-7, a motorcycle, mobile phones and mattresses.

“The troops also destroyed structures believed to have provided support to the terrorists,” it said.

The report said that troops had, in another operation in Katsina, responded to a terrorist attack at Danakwabo village in Kankara Local Government Area following the killing of a terrorist kingpin by members of a vigilante group.

It said the terrorists had fled before the troops arrived, after killing a civilian and carting away his motorcycle.

The report also said troops responded to another terrorist attack around Sifawa and Danchadi in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto.

It said that they foiled the planned attack and engaged the terrorists, forcing them to withdraw into the surrounding forest.

In Zamfara, it said the troops of 1 Brigade at Forward Operating Base Gwashi discovered and safely detonated an Improvised Explosive Device planted by terrorists along the Gurusu-Gwashi Road in Bukkuyum Local Government Area.

“In Plateau, troops of Operation Enduring Peace recovered five rustled cattle in Bokkos Local Government Area and returned them to their owner.

“Troops also apprehended three suspects after one cow was killed and five others injured during an attack on cattle in Pankshin Local Government Area.

“In Benue, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, working with the state civil protection guards, conducted a clearance operation at Ahungwa in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

“The troops engaged terrorists during the operation, neutralised one and recovered an AK-47 magazine and two rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition,” it said.

The report said the operations formed part of sustained efforts to deny terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across the country.

It said that troops were continuing operations to track fleeing terrorists, apprehend criminal elements and restore security in affected communities.
NAN