The Authority of the Nigerian Army said its troops eliminated four terrorists in ambush and raid operations conducted in Kaduna and Katsina states.
Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, said in a statement on Saturday that the operations that took place on Friday were successful, as troops also foiled a kidnapping attempt on the headmaster of a primary school in Plateau State.
“Responding to credible intelligence on the use of the Gwamtu-Duduwa-Kujeni route in Kajuru Local Government of Kaduna State for the movement of logistics to support terrorists in Rijana Forest, troops staged an ambush against the terrorists, eliminating two of them.
“In the operation, the valiant troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, two AK-47 magazines, four rounds of 7.62mm (Special) and a PKGM link belt. Other items recovered include one recoiling spring, two motorbikes, a camouflage jungle hat, packs of tobacco and fetish amulets,” Nwachukwu said in the statement.
According to the statement, in a similar development, troops acting on actionable intelligence successfully raided terrorists’ hideouts at Dutsen Kura in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State, where they successfully neutralised two terrorists after a fierce exchange of fire.
Items recovered from the terrorists’ den include one 81mm mortar bomb, three Baofeng radios, one empty PKT gun ammunition box, four bandoliers, two motorbikes, four pairs of military woodland camouflage and one ballistic helmet.
“In another operation in Plateau State, troops responding to a distress call swiftly repelled a kidnap attempt on Mr Solomon Zakka, the Headmaster of Pilot Primary School, Daffo, who was kidnapped from his residence at Maiduna Village in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau.
“On being alerted, the vigilant troops pursued and engaged the kidnappers in a firefight, forcing them to relinquish their abductee,” Maj Gen Nwachuckwu stated.