Troops of the Nigerian Army have foiled an attempted infiltration by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and rescued six kidnapped victims in separate operations.
The development was contained in an operational report on significant occurrences between Sept. 26 and 27, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.
In the North-East, the report said the troops foiled an attempted terrorist infiltration of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kawuri in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno.
It said the terrorists were sighted advancing towards the base at about 11 p.m. on Sept. 25, but troops engaged them and forced them to retreat towards the Yuwe axis.
According to the report, during exploitation of the terrorists’ withdrawal route on Sept. 26, troops recovered cannabis sativa, tramadol tablets, cigarette butts and a muffler reportedly abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.
“Also in Borno, several suspected terrorist family members surrendered to troops between Sept. 19 and 25 in Dikwa, Bama and Ngala Local Government Areas.
“They included women and children who reportedly escaped terrorist enclaves and camps amid factional clashes, internal disagreements and hardship.
“In Zamfara, troops of 1 Brigade Combat Team 7 responded to suspected terrorist activities in Tsafe Local Government Area at about 1:10 a.m. on Sept. 26.
“The troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to withdraw towards adjoining farmlands and abandon six kidnapped victims.
“The rescued victims were taken into military custody for further action, according to the report,” it said.
In Plateau, the report said the troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) foiled an alleged cattle-rustling operation at Sabon Layi community in Wase Local Government Area.
It added that troops’ intervention forced the suspected terrorists to abandon 57 cattle and flee the area, adding that the recovered cattle were moved to the military base for subsequent handover to their owners.
“Also in Plateau, troops arrested a suspected kidnapper while allegedly collecting ransom from victims around a forest in Riyom Local Government Area.
“The suspect was arrested with N1.9 million, which he reportedly claimed was proceeds from the sale of cattle.
“In Mangu Local Government Area, troops responded to an alleged militia attack on Lawet community, where 12 cattle were killed and another 12 injured.
“The troops subsequently tracked and recovered several rustled cattle around the Pankshin general area,” it added.
In Taraba, the report revealed that troops of 6 Brigade Garrison, in conjunction with 6 Military Intelligence Regiment, arrested a suspected drug trafficker at Atoshi Park, Wukari.
It said the suspect was intercepted following a tip-off and allegedly found with 94 wraps of a substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, reportedly destined for Kano.
According to the report, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander Operation Enduring Peace, Maj.-Gen. Maxwell Dangana, held a stakeholders’ meeting in Barkin Ladi, Plateau.
“The meeting followed a recent attack on Lajam village, which reportedly left six locals dead and others injured.
“The meeting, attended by local government officials and other stakeholders, was aimed at de-escalating tensions and addressing persistent killings and reprisals in the area.
“Dangana also visited Operation Enduring Peace Sector 8 headquarters in Mangu to inspect proposed locations for the newly established 236 Tank Battalion.
“The visit covered proposed sites at Tyop, the National Open University facility at Daika and the NYSC permanent site at Mairana,” the report said.
