Army rescues 10 Corps members, kills 16 terrorists in fresh operations

The Nigerian Army has reported the rescue of 10 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, the neutralisation of 16 terrorists and the recovery of several weapons following operations across parts of the country.

The Army disclosed this in an operational report made available on Thursday evening, detailing recent activities by troops deployed under various military operations.

According to the report, troops of Operation UDO KA rescued 10 prospective NYSC members who were abducted in Imo State.

The report said troops of 34 Artillery Brigade responded to a kidnapping incident at Umonuwa village along the Onitsha-Owerri Road in Mbaise Local Government Area at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday.

The victims were reportedly abducted from two commercial buses by suspected kidnappers.

The Army said troops, working with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services, were pursuing the kidnappers in an effort to rescue the remaining victims.

In Adamawa State, terrorists reportedly launched simultaneous attacks on troops of 226 Battalion (Motorised) in Garkida, Gombi Local Government Area, and 232 Battalion in Garaha, Hong Local Government Area, at about 1 a.m. on Thursday.

The troops repelled the attacks, forcing the terrorists to withdraw towards Garkida on motorcycles.

The Army said its Spartan element subsequently pursued the fleeing terrorists and conducted strikes that neutralised 16 of them.

Troops reportedly recovered three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, one Dane gun, six AK-47 magazines and several cartridges.

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“Troops are currently conducting follow-up operations and reorganising their defensive locations,” the report stated.

In Taraba State, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE responded to a suspected terrorist attack on Gwamagira settlement in Karim Lamido Local Government Area.

The attackers, who reportedly operated on motorcycles, engaged the troops before retreating and abandoning rustled cattle.

The troops recovered the cattle and returned them to their owners, but the attackers reportedly killed one civilian and abducted three others.

The Army said efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the attackers.

Meanwhile, troops of Sector 3, Operation HADIN KAI, arrested a suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) member at Babbangida in Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The suspect was arrested at about 12:30 p.m. on September 29 and reportedly claimed to be an Islamic cleric operating in the Sahara area of Niger Republic.

Preliminary investigations indicated that he travelled by truck from the Zarmadu-Sahara general area of Niger Republic into Nigeria before proceeding to Borno State.

The Army said troops recovered a mobile phone, prayer mat, blanket, jacket, slate, detergent and N396,200 from him.

In another operation, troops of Sector 4, working with Rangers and Hybrid Forces, arrested four suspected terrorists during a fighting patrol in parts of Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

In Sokoto State, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA engaged terrorists along the Kwanar Isa-Shinkafi Road in Isa Local Government Area.

The troops reportedly forced the terrorists to withdraw and subsequently maintained a security presence in the area through sustained patrols.