Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma , have neutralised eight suspected terrorists and rescued three kidnap victims in coordinated operations in Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara States.
The operations also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, three locally fabricated guns, three motorcycles, cutlasses and assorted charms.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Capt. Tamuno Sinivie, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Kaduna.
Sinivie said that on Oct. 24, troops of Sector one responded to a distress call from farmers at Machika Dam in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina, reporting terrorist activities in the area.
He said the troops promptly mobilised to the location and engaged the terrorists in a gun battle, neutralising two of them, while others fled.
The officer added that the troops rescued a 42-year-old kidnap victim, Mr Suleiman Umar, during the operation.
He said further exploitation of the area led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing ammunition, as well as a motorcycle.
Sinivie said that in another operation on the same day, troops of Sector one, working with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), foiled a terrorist ambush along Ungwan Iya in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, neutralising six suspected terrorists.
He explained that the troops had responded to a distress call reporting an attack by suspected armed terrorists at Ungwan Mallami village, where the assailants had abducted two victims.
According to him, the troops came under attack while trailing the fleeing terrorists but responded swiftly with superior firepower, neutralising six of them, while others escaped.
The operation also led to the recovery of three locally fabricated guns, two motorcycles, cutlasses and assorted charms.
“In a related development, troops of Sector two rescued two kidnap victims in Bagega, Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara, on Sunday.
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“The victims were identified as Mr Shehu Chete, 40, and Mr Bugu Bedi, 25, both indigenes of Kebbi State,” he said.
Sinivie said the troops, while conducting surveillance operations in the area, observed the activities of suspected terrorists and immediately deployed a fighting patrol.
He said the terrorists fled on sighting the troops, abandoning the two victims, who were subsequently rescued.
“The victims were evacuated to Bagega Clinic for medical attention before being moved to the military base for further assessment and eventual reunion with their families,” he added.
He assured that troops were sustaining patrols and search operations across the affected areas to apprehend fleeing terrorists, rescue other victims and prevent further attacks.
He quoted the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, as commending the troops for their gallantry and resilience in responding to the attacks.
The commander also urged members of the public to support the ongoing military operations by providing timely and credible information on suspicious movements and activities in their communities.
(NAN)
