Troops rescue 16 hostages, recover arms, cash in Niger State

The Nigerian Army has rescued 16 kidnapped victims and intercepted fleeing terrorists during coordinated clearance operations across Niger State.

The operation also led to the recovery of heavy weaponry, dozens of motorcycles, and millions of naira in illicit cash.

After receiving credible intelligence on November 5, the troops laid an ambush along a known terrorist transit route from Mashegu Local Government Area towards Rijiyan Nagwamatse in Kontagora.

The soldiers neutralised an unconfirmed number of bandits during the encounter, successfully freeing the 16 hostages they had earlier abducted.

The troops dominated the area, recovering two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, three rocket-propelled high-explosive anti-personnel bombs, 33 motorcycles, assorted ammunition, and ₦4,105,000 in cash.

In a related development on November 3, troops engaged another criminal syndicate moving from Makuku Village in Kebbi State towards Tungan Kawo in Niger State. Bowing to the strength of the military during a fierce gun battle, the terrorists fled into the surrounding forest with different degrees of injuries. A subsequent search of the operational theater led to the recovery of five additional motorcycles, a mobile phone, and ₦644,300.

The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 18 Brigade, Captain Adebayo Adewumi, in a statement confirmed the release of those abducted, stressing that the military is tracking the wounded fugitives in order to make them face the full weight of the law.

“The 16 rescued victims have received first aid and have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for reunification with their families, while recovered items remain in military custody for further action”.

The Commander, 18 Brigade, commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them to sustain the operational momentum to rid the region of criminal elements.