By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Nigerian troops have rescued seven kidnapped victims, foiled terrorist attacks and recovered AK-47 rifles in separate operations across the country in the last 24 hours.

The operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday said the successes were recorded between Aug. 21 and Aug. 22.

The report said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA foiled a kidnap incident along the Dandume-Sheme Road in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State.

It said the troops engaged the terrorists at about 11:02 a.m. on Saturday, forcing them to abandon six kidnapped victims who were travelling from Tsafe to Kasuwan Shinkafa.

According to the report, troops also recovered N800,000 belonging to the victims and returned the money and their vehicle to them.

“In Zamfara, troops of 1 Brigade at Forward Operating Base Mayanchi responded to an attack on commuters along the Gusau-Maru-Sokoto Road.

“The troops, who arrived at the scene, recovered the corpse of the vehicle driver, which was subsequently taken to Maru General Hospital by the police.

“Under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, troops operating in Niger State recovered two AK-47 rifles and two magazines containing ammunition at the outskirts of Pissa, Borgu Local Government Area.

“The troops, working with vigilantes, also identified an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the area and successfully detonated it in situ,” he said.

The report said troops of 195 Battalion under Operation MESA, in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps, rescued a kidnap victim in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo.

It said the troops had laid an ambush at Powerline Uzairue along the Afawosa-Iyora Road when they sighted suspected kidnappers moving with the victim.

According to the report, troops engaged the criminals, forcing them to abandon the victim and flee into the surrounding area.

“The rescued victim disclosed that he had been kidnapped from his residence in South Ibie on Aug. 20.

“Also under Operation MESA, troops of Army Headquarters Garrison conducted a clearance patrol around Karu in the Federal Capital Territory.

“The troops destroyed large shanties harbouring more than 100 drug peddlers and other criminal elements while continuing to dominate the area,” it said.

In Plateau, the military said the troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE recovered 16 cattle out of 75 reported rustled at Kefar, Jipal in Quan’Pan Local Government Area.

It added that the troops trailed the fleeing criminals and recovered the cattle, while efforts continued to recover the remaining animals and apprehend the perpetrators.

“The latest operations add to recent military successes in which troops rescued dozens of abducted persons, recovered weapons and disrupted terrorist and criminal networks across the country.

“The Armed Forces have continued to rely on intelligence-led operations, collaboration with local security groups and sustained patrols to deny terrorists and criminal elements freedom of action,” it said.

The military urged communities to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to enhance ongoing operations and improve the protection of lives and property. (NAN)

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