Nigerian troops capture 7 terrorists, kidnappers, rescue victims

Troops of Operations Whirl Stroke and Safe Haven have captured seven terrorists and bandits and also rescued two kidnapped victims in different operations across Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau States.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

Onyeuko reported that the troops had, on July 29, carried out a clearance operation at Tse-Ibor, Tse-Igbakyor, Akwana and Ayinbe villages in Logo Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and made contact with terrorists.

According to him, troops engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to run away while two of them, Usman Yau (28) and Danladi Selfa (23), were arrested with gunshot wounds at a private hospital.

Onyeuko said one AK 47 rifle, and one magazine with 13 rounds of 7.62mm special, amongst other items, were recovered.

He said troops also arrested one terrorist and alleged bandit collaborator, Mr Moses Aindigh (27) and a notorious kidnapper, IIiyasu Mohammed (37), on the same day at Kukyro village in Nasarawa Local Government Area, adding that all arrested criminals have been handed over to relevant authorities.

“Furthermore, troops of Operation Safe Haven on August 3 and August 4, arrested three suspected notorious kidnappers, Umar Zakari, Usman Hamina and Haruna Umaru, following credible intelligence at Fuskar Mata village in Bassa Local Government Area of Kaduna State,” he said.

“The suspects confessed to have been involved in kidnapping activities in mentioned Local Government Areas.

“Also, on August 3, troops responded to a distress call from locals in Qua’anpan Local Government Area Plateau of four kidnappers in a hotel hideout attempting to move people away.

“Troops mobilised to scene engaged the criminals, neutralised one of them (Umar Muhammed) and recovered one AK47 rifle, ten rounds of 7.62mm special amongst other items.”

Onyeuko also revealed that troops had, on August 4, carried out a rescue operation at Kasuwa Ali in Gindiri District in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State and subsequently rescued two kidnapped civilians, Mr Uchenna Edoga (25) and Mr Ebuka Nnadi (30).

He said the rescued civilians have been reunited with their families.