Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have neutralised eight suspected terrorists and rescued three kidnap victims in coordinated operations across Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara States.
The operations also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, three locally fabricated guns, three motorcycles, cutlasses and assorted charms.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Capt. Tamuno Sinivie, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Kaduna.
Sinivie said troops of Sector One responded to a distress call from farmers at Machika Dam in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina on Oct. 24, following reports of terrorist activities in the area.
He said the troops engaged the terrorists in a gun battle, neutralising two of them while others fled. They also rescued a 42-year-old kidnap victim, Suleiman Umar.
A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing ammunition and a motorcycle.
In another operation on the same day, troops of Sector One, working with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), foiled a terrorist ambush along Ungwan Iya in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing six suspected terrorists.
According to Sinivie, the troops had responded to a distress call about an attack on Ungwan Mallami village, where suspected armed terrorists had abducted two people.
He said the troops came under attack while pursuing the fleeing assailants but responded with superior firepower, neutralising six of them while others escaped.
The troops recovered three locally fabricated guns, two motorcycles, cutlasses and assorted charms during the operation.
Sinivie said troops of Sector Two also rescued two kidnap victims in Bagega, Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on Sunday.
The victims were identified as Shehu Chete, 40, and Bugu Bedi, 25, both indigenes of Kebbi State.
He said the troops spotted suspected terrorists during surveillance operations in the area and immediately deployed a fighting patrol.
The suspects fled on sighting the troops, abandoning the two victims, who were subsequently rescued.
The victims were taken to Bagega Clinic for medical attention before being moved to a military base for further assessment and eventual reunion with their families.
Sinivie said troops were sustaining patrols and search operations across the affected areas to apprehend fleeing terrorists, rescue other victims and prevent further attacks.
He added that the Theatre Commander of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, had commended the troops for their gallantry and resilience.
The commander also urged members of the public to support the ongoing military operations by providing timely and credible information about suspicious movements and activities in their communities.