Troops rescue 13 kidnapped victims, intercept terrorist ammunition

The Nigerian Army says troops have rescued 13 kidnapped victims, intercepted 300 rounds of ammunition and neutralised a suspected kidnapper in separate operations nationwide. The military operational update made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday covered significant occurrences between Sept. 9 and Sept. 10. The report stated that the operations also disrupted illegal bunkering, recovered suspected illegally refined petroleum products and intercepted a trailer conveying illegally mined ilmenite. Under Operation MESA, it said the troops of 195 Battalion rescued 10 kidnapped victims and recovered the corpse of another victim in Elon/Ikakumo Forest, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo. The report added that the rescued victims and recovered corpse were handed over to the police at Ibilolo Division for further action.

Under Operation ENDURING PEACE, it said the troops of Sector 6 neutralised a suspected kidnapper at Angwan Boka, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau. According to the report, other suspected kidnappers fled following the engagement, while troops recovered a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and six rounds of 7. 62mm Special ammunition. “In another operation, troops responded to sporadic shootings by suspected kidnappers along the Jos-Makurdi road in Riyom. “The intervention forced the criminals to abandon three abducted persons who sustained gunshot wounds, while the kidnappers fled with two other victims. “The rescued victims were evacuated to the Primary Health Centre, Riyom, for medical attention, while efforts continued to rescue the two remaining abductees,” it said. The report further revealed that troops of Sector 8 conducted a fighting patrol to Kogul village, Mangu Local Government Area, where they engaged suspected militias.…