The troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised no fewer than four terrorists and rescued 11 kidnapped victims in Birnin Gwari, the headquarters of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The troops also recovered several weapons from the insurgents.

This was disclosed via a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations 1 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, on Thursday, February 8, 2024.

Yahaya noted that the troops on fighting patrol in Birnin Gwari, on Tuesday, February 6, made contact with insurgents and engaged them in a gun duel, neutralising four insurgents while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

He stated that three AK 47 rifles, seven AK 47 rifle magazines, and two motorcycles were recovered from the terrorists.

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He added: “Similarly, troops of the Division deployed at Birnin Gwari received a tip-off on insurgents movement on 7 February 2024. The troops swiftly moved to intercept the insurgents at Kwaga village. The insurgents who could not withstand the firepower of the troops absconded into the forest in disarray abandoning their victims.

“The troops successfully rescued all 11 victims namely; Zakari Galadima 54 years (male), Ishaku Galadima 50 years (male), Habibu Illaysu  40 years (male), Nuzuli Ibrahim 18 years (male), Ramatu Aliyu 60 years (female), Ubaida Mubarak 30 years (female), Zaliha Mubarak 9 months (female), Umma Haruna 22 years (female), Khairatu Salisu 34 years (female), Rahamatu Usman 43 years (female),  Rakiyia Yahaya 24 years (female) and recovered 1 motorcycle.”

Yahaya said preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were kidnapped on February 6, 2024, from their village at Masuku in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

“The victims were rendered medical attention by medical team of the Division and reunited with their families,” the army deputy director added.

He further quoted the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander Operation Whirl Punch, Maj.-Gen. Valentine Okoro, as commending the troops for success.

Okoro appealed to the general public to continue to avail the army and other security agencies with real-time intelligence just as he urged locals to report persons with gunshot wounds seeking paramedics’ attention to the troops or other security agencies for prompt action.

The Star