Military troops have intercepted 44 family members linked to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and rescued nine abducted individuals during multiple operations across the country.
The security operations also resulted in the arrest of several suspected kidnappers and accomplices, alongside the recovery of various arms and ammunition, according to an official intelligence update.
In Borno State, personnel from the 222 Battalion intercepted 43 ISWAP family members at Kawuri in Konduga Local Government Area. Early findings indicate the group fled captivity in Yuwe following internal clashes between rival Boko Haram factions (JAS) and ISWAP. The individuals were subsequently transferred to the 7 Multinational Intervention Brigade for further processing.
Additionally, troops from the 192 Battalion intercepted a female ISWAP family member on the Gwoza-Limankara road in Gwoza Local Government Area. Initial investigations show she escaped a militant hideout in Chikide, located within the Mandara Mountains.
“In another development, troops of 1 Brigade rescued five kidnapped victims, including the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara, from suspected terrorists’ captivity. The victims were rescued at a suspected terrorist camp around Sekpore village, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, after troops established blocking positions around Sekpore and Sabon Gari,” the update detailed.
The report noted that the captives had recently been relocated from the Abaniyawa terrorist camp due to intense military pressure, and several other victims managed to escape during the offensive. One rescued individual was reunited with family members, while the remaining four were taken to the 1 Brigade Medical Centre for care.
In a separate action along the Gusau-Sokoto road, Counter-Terrorism Unit 4 responded to a militant attack on a vehicle. Forces engaged the assailants, who fled into nearby bushes, allowing troops to safely extract four civilian passengers.
In Borno, 149 Battalion troops working with the Civilian Joint Task Force apprehended a suspected kidnapper in Gubio town, seizing an AK-47 rifle. The suspect guided forces to Ardimini village, where an AK-47 magazine loaded with 12 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition was found. Meanwhile, 159 Task Force Battalion troops and Nigerian Forest Guards detained a suspected terrorist collaborator at the Geidam market, seizing a mobile phone and N296,000 in cash.
Forces under Operation Savannah Shield conducted a raid on a suspected terrorist hideout at Alogomo in Edu Local Government Area of Niger State. The occupants fled prior to the arrival of the troops, who cleared the camp and recovered an AK-47 magazine loaded with eight rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
In Benue State, Operation Whirl Stroke personnel arrested two suspected kidnappers along the Otukpo-Makurdi road, recovering an AK-47 rifle, 25 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and a motorcycle.
“Troops also arrested a suspected gunrunner at Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area, as well as two suspected impostors in Benue and Taraba. In a related operation, troops in Edo, working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), destroyed two cannabis farms at Oke Camp and Eko Camp 1 and 2 in Esan South-East Local Government Area. Four suspects were arrested and fresh and dried cannabis recovered before the suspects and exhibits were handed over to the NDLEA,” the report concluded.
