Troops rescue seven kidnap victims, kill two kidnappers, arrest four ISWAP suspects

Nigerian troops have conducted successful operations across multiple states, resulting in the rescue of seven kidnapped victims, the neutralization of two kidnappers, and the arrest of four suspected ISWAP terrorists and collaborators. These coordinated efforts, part of Operation HADIN KAI and other initiatives, took place in Borno, Yobe, Benue, and Plateau states, yielding significant recoveries of arms, ammunition, and other items.

In Borno State, troops rescued two women and two minors who had escaped from an ISWAP enclave in the Mandara Mountains. Additionally, a woman and her child, reportedly family members of an ISWAP terrorist, surrendered to troops after fleeing an enclave in Sambisa Forest. In collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), troops apprehended four suspected ISWAP terrorists in Gwoza, Gujba, and Kukawa LGAs. One suspect confessed to spying on troops and supplying logistics to terrorists.

Troops also thwarted an ISWAP infiltration attempt in Kirawa, forcing the fighters to abandon a motorcycle. A Nigerian Air Force aircraft later neutralized another terrorist near Marte. In a separate incident, troops safely detonated an improvised explosive device planted on the Maiduguri–Gamboru highway, preventing a potential attack on commuters. The operations also extended to dismantling an illegal refining site and recovering equipment used for crude oil theft in Rivers State by Operation DELTA SAFE.

In Benue State, troops involved in Operation WHIRL STROKE, supported by local hunters and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, rescued four kidnapped victims and killed two kidnappers during clearance operations in Katsina-Ala. They recovered a cache of weapons, including AK-47 and G3 rifles, a pistol, 221 rounds of ammunition, magazines, military uniforms, and a Point-of-Sale terminal. Further raids in Otukpo LGA led to the arrest of five suspected militia members and the recovery of a Dane gun and ammunition.

In Plateau State, troops operating under Operation ENDURING PEACE discovered and recovered a locally fabricated rifle and ammunition from a suspected terrorist hideout in the Bassa LGA. Additionally, 15 jerrycans of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) were intercepted in Mubi North LGA.