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From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
Troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army, have killed 14 insurgents, rescued 14 abductees, and recovered arms in clearance operations in Niger and Kaduna States.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Relations, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Yahaya, in a statement, yesterday evening, said the troops, in coordinated offensives in Kaduna and Niger States, cleared insurgents and violent extremists from several hideouts neutralising many and making significant recoveries.
He said in Niger State, on Saturday, troops set out to clear the remnant of insurgent elements in the State, made contact at Madawaki of Shiroro Local Government Area of the state, and killed two insurgents with others fleeing with gunshot wounds, adding that troops recovered two AK rifles, two AK rifle magazines, and one motorcycle in that encounter. Troops proceeded to the camp of eliminate insurgents’ leader, Ali Kachalla, where his foot soldiers cowardly absconded on troops’ approach, leading to the rescue of 13 kidnap victims, all males.
“The victims were revealed to have been abducted in Niger State on October 13, 2023. Items recovered from the camp included an international passport suspected to belong to a high-profile affiliate of the insurgents.
“A few military and warlike accessories were also discovered at the camp. Rescued persons were taken to a military medical facility for medical attention and subsequently reunited with their families.
“The troops further projected to another insurgents’ camp dominated by insurgent leader, Alhaji Laye. The camp was similarly deserted. The troops searched the abandoned makeshift tents and recovered four AK 47 rifle magazines.
“The camp was destroyed and troops returned to Madawaki, where one insurgent’s storehouse was discovered with assorted soft drinks, cartons of bottled water, liquid peak milk, and energy drinks. Other items discovered in the storehouse were a generator and foodstuff. All the items and the camp were destroyed.
“In a follow up operation in Kaduna State, troops of the division neutralised three insurgents at Maidaro in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area on December 23, 2023, troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 rifle magazine, one dane gun, and two motorcycles.
“In the Kidandan – Yadi general area of Birnin Gwari, the troops’ offensive also led to the destruction of the insurgents’ camp, troops neutralised five insurgents and recovered 12 motorcycles in the firefight.
“Also, troops operating at the Kachia axis on December 21, 2023, in response to a kidnap incident, successfully launched an ambush along Maro junction, and made contact with the criminal kidnappers. In the firefight that ensued, troops neutralised three of the kidnappers with others escaping with gunshot wounds.
“Troops recovered the sum of N15,000, two mobile phones, one motorcycle, and two cutlasses and also rescued one abducted person. The rescued victim, Mr Rabiu Ahmed (25-year-old), was rushed to a nearby military hospital. He was subsequently treated, and his dispossessed items returned to him, and reunited with his family.
“In the same vein, in the early hours of December 24, 2023, acting on credible intelligence, troops of 1 Division ambushed insurgents at Kwanar Batero in Kaduna State and neutralised one insurgent. Items recovered include one AK 47 rifle, one magazine, five rounds of 7.62 mm, three motorcycles, and one Baofeng radio”, he narrated.
He, however, noted that the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, and Force Commander, Operation Whirl Punch, Major General Valentine Okoro, expressed satisfaction with the successes recorded in the operations.
