By MOHAMMED TIJJANI

The Nigerian Army says its troops have killed 14 insurgents and rescued 13 kidnapped victims in Niger and Kaduna states.

The Acting Deputy Director, Army Relations, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Lt.-Col. Musa Yahaya, said this in a statement on Sunday in Kaduna.

Yahaya said the troops neutralised the insurgents in continuation of the operations by 1 Division Nigerian Army, to rid the area of responsibility of violent extremists, insurgents and criminal elements.

“The highly motivated troops in coordinated offensives in Kaduna and Niger Sates cleared insurgents and violent extremists from several hideouts neutralising many and making significant recoveries.”

He said the troops on Dec. 23, set out to clear the remnant of insurgents in Niger.

The troops, he said, made contact at Madawaki in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state and neutralised two insurgents with others fleeing with gunshot wounds, adding that the troops recoverd two AK-47 Rifles, two AK-47 magazines and one motorcycle.

“Troops proceeded to the camp of eliminated insurgents leader, Ali Kachalla, where his foot soldiers cowardly absconded on troops’ approach.

“Search of the camp led to the rescue of 13 kidnap victims, all males,” he said, adding that the victims revealed that they had been abducted in Niger on Oct. 13, 2023.

He said troops also recovered items including an international passport suspected to belong to a high profile affiliate of the insurgents, and a few military and warlike accessories.

Yahaya said the rescued persons had been refered to a military medical facility for medical attention and subsequently reunited with their families.

He said the troops also projected to another insurgents’ deserted camp dominated by insurgent leader, Alhaji Laye.

He said the troops searched the abandoned makeshift tents and recovered four AK-47 Rifle magazines.

“The camp was destroyed and troops returned to Madawaki where an insurgents storehouse was discovered with assorted soft drinks, cartons of bottle water, milk and energy drinks.

“Other items discovered in the storehouse were generator and food stuff. The items and the camp were destroyed”.

On operation in Kaduna State, Yahaya said the troops had neutralised three insurgents at Maidaro in Birnin Gwari LGA on Dec23, and recovered one AK-47 Rifle, one AK-47 Rifle magazine, one Dane gun and two motorcycles.

In Kidandan – Yadi general area of Birnin Gwari, troops offensive also ledto the destruction of insurgents camp, where the troops neutralised five insurgents and recovered 12 motorcycles.

Similarly, the troops operating at the Kachia axis while response to a kidnap incident onDec. 21, successfully launched an ambush along Maro junction and made contact with the kidnappers.

He said the troops neutralised three insurgents in the fire fight that ensued, while others escaped with gunshot wounds, adding that the troops rescued one kidnapped victim,and recovered N50,000, two mobile phones, one motorcycle and two cutlasses.

“The rescued victim was rushed to a nearby military hospital for treatment, his dispossessed items returned to him and reunited with his family.

“In the early hours of Dec. 24, acting on credible intelligence, troops of 1 Division ambushed insurgents at Kwanar Batero in Kaduna State and neutralised one terrorist.

“Items recovered include one AK-47 Rifle, one magazine, five rounds of 7.62 mm, threemotorcycles and one baofeng radio,” he said.

Yahaya quoted the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army and Force Commander Operation, WHIRL PUNCH, Maj.-Gen. Valentine Okoro as expressing satisfaction over the successes recorded in the operations.

Okoro lauded the troops for the feat and charged them to continue to deny all insurgents and criminal elements in the area freedom of action. (NAN)