July 23, (THEWILL) — Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded significant gains in their ongoing operations against insurgents, arresting ransom negotiators, informants, collaborators, and logistics suppliers linked to Boko Haram terrorists.
The coordinated operations also led to the rescue of 138 kidnapped victims and the recovery of a cache of arms, ammunition, and improvised explosive device (IED) components.
Providing an update on the operations, the Army said troops of 1 Brigade, in collaboration with local vigilantes, acted on credible intelligence and rescued 106 kidnapped victims on July 20 at the outskirts of Mayanchi Village, near the Bayan Ruwa axis in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The victims included eight women, 85 girls, and 13 boys.
According to the Army, the terrorists fled under the troops’ superior firepower, leaving behind the victims, who were later handed over to the District Head of Mayanchi for documentation and reunification with their families.
In a related development on the same day, 32 additional kidnapped victims, comprising 27 adult females and five male minors, were released by terrorists to officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Zamfara State.
Alongside the victims, five AK-47 rifles and one DUSHKA machine gun were also handed over. Both the victims and recovered weapons have been transferred to the Sector Commander, Special Duties Sector (SDS), in Zamfara.
In the North-East, troops of 144 Battalion, supported by Hunters and Hybrid Forces, ambushed fleeing ISWAP/JAS terrorists at Takaskala in Madagali LGA of Adamawa State.
The operation led to the recovery of critical IED-making materials, including detonators, pressure plates, batteries, plastic explosives, and a bicycle.
In Borno State, troops of 242 Recce Battalion repelled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP/JAS terrorists in Monguno LGA. Follow-up operations led to the recovery of six rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, an RPG bomb, an empty magazine, and other items.
Also on July 20, troops of Sector 3, working with the Civilian JTF, arrested a suspected ISWAP informant in Abari, Monguno LGA. In another operation, troops of 1 Brigade arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator in Tofa Village, Maru LGA.
Investigations revealed that the suspect served as a ransom negotiator and logistics supplier to terrorists.
Earlier on July 19, troops of 145 Battalion in Damasak, alongside Civilian JTF members, arrested a suspected drug trafficker attempting to smuggle illicit substances, including Tramadol and Diazepam, into Damasak Town, Mobbar LGA.
The Nigerian Army, while reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding national security, praised the cooperation of local communities and security stakeholders and assured Nigerians of its unrelenting resolve to protect lives and property
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