Troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted ₦9.89 million ransom allegedly being conveyed to kidnappers for the release of three kidnapped siblings.

Troops also rescued 27 victims in separate operations.

The operations were conducted between August 27 and 28 across Kaduna, Zamfara and Kebbi states, according to an operational report released on Saturday.

The report said troops of the 4 Demonstration Battalion intercepted a vehicle carrying the ransom during a snap check at Kadage in the Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna.

It said the money was allegedly being conveyed for delivery to kidnappers who abducted three siblings at Kwangila in Zaria Local Government Area on August 13.

According to the report, the kidnappers had reportedly demanded ₦9.9 million ransom, to be delivered at a filling station in Galadimawa.

“The troops apprehended the occupants of the vehicle and recovered the cash for further investigation.

“In Zamfara, troops of 1 Brigade rescued 16 kidnapped persons in two separate operations in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area,” it said.

The report said troops engaged terrorists at Kaura Namoda community and forced them to flee, abandoning four kidnapped victims.

It added that troops, in another operation around Kwanoni village, engaged the terrorists and rescued 12 victims abducted from two vehicles.

According to the report, the victims were subsequently released to continue their journey.

In Kebbi, it said the troops of 223 Light Tank Battalion rescued 11 persons abducted from farms around Binoni village in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.

The report added that the troops engaged the terrorists following credible intelligence, forcing them to flee and abandon the victims.

“In Kaduna, troops also arrested three suspected terrorists and recovered two locally made guns and 13 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.

“The suspects were apprehended after one of them was intercepted at Akote in Kagarko Local Government Area while allegedly transporting the weapons.

“In Zamfara, troops of 26 Battalion foiled an attempted terrorist movement at Kwanar Jolof in Shinkafi Local Government Area.

“The troops, acting on surveillance information, ambushed 14 terrorists travelling on seven motorcycles and forced them to flee.

“They recovered one motorcycle, an RPG bomb without fuse, a sleeping mat and a blanket,” it said.

The report further revealed that troops foiled a terrorist attack on a military location at Jabo in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

It said the attackers withdrew after reinforcement troops engaged them, while two civilians who sustained gunshot wounds were evacuated for medical attention.

In Anambra, it said the troops of 15 Brigade, in conjunction with the police, intercepted three AK-47 rifles, a pump-action gun, six rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and two pump-action cartridges.

According to the report, the weapons were recovered during a snap check at Isuofia in Aguata Local Government Area from occupants of two vehicles.

The report said two soldiers on pass were among the nine persons in the vehicles, while two other occupants claimed ownership of the firearms and identified themselves as vigilantes from Imo.

It added that the suspected vigilantes were handed over to the police, while the soldiers were taken into military custody for further action.

According to the military, the latest operations underscore the military’s continued efforts to disrupt kidnapping and terrorist networks, deny criminals access to ransom and rescue abducted citizens.

(NAN)