Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised 16 terrorists and recovered weapons while repelling simultaneous attacks in Adamawa.
The attacks targeted troops of 226 Battalion (Motorised) at Garkida in Gombi Local Government Area and 232 Battalion at Garaha in Hong Local Government Area at about 1 a.m. on Thursday.
An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the troops repelled the attacks, forcing the terrorists to flee towards Garkida on motorcycles.
It said the Army’s Spartan element subsequently tracked the fleeing terrorists and conducted strikes that neutralised 16 of them.
The troops recovered three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, one Dane gun and six AK-47 magazines, alongside cartridges.
The report said troops were conducting follow-up operations and reorganising their defensive positions.
In Imo, troops of Operation UDO KA rescued 10 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members abducted by suspected kidnappers.
The victims were abducted from two commercial buses at Umonuwa village along the Onitsha-Owerri Road in Mbaise Local Government Area at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Troops of 34 Artillery Brigade responded to the incident and, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services, commenced operations to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
In Taraba, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE responded to a suspected terrorist attack on Gwamagira settlement in Karim Lamido Local Government Area.
The attackers, operating on motorcycles, were engaged by troops and forced to retreat, abandoning rustled cattle.
The troops recovered the cattle and returned them to their owners, although one civilian was killed and three others abducted.
The report said efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the attackers.
In Yobe, troops of Sector 3, Operation HADIN KAI, arrested a suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) member at Babbangida in Tarmuwa Local Government Area.
The suspect was arrested at about 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 29 and reportedly claimed to be an Islamic cleric operating in the Sahara area of the Niger Republic.
Preliminary investigations indicated that he travelled by truck from the Zarmadu-Sahara general area of Niger Republic into Nigeria before proceeding to Borno.
Troops recovered a mobile phone, prayer mat, blanket, jacket, slate, detergent and N396,200 from him.
The report also said troops of Sector 4, in collaboration with Rangers and Hybrid Forces, arrested four suspected terrorists during a fighting patrol in parts of Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa.
In Sokoto, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA engaged terrorists along the Kwanar Isa-Shinkafi Road in Isa Local Government Area, forcing them to withdraw.
The troops subsequently maintained a presence in the area through patrols.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
