The Nigerian Army said on Monday that it killed eight notorious terrorists and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages in operations across Nigeria.

In a post on its official X handle, the army said the troops recovered a haul of firearms during the operations.

The army said troops had, on September 22, thwarted an attempt by terrorists to raid some villages in Borno for supplies and logistics and eliminated three assailants.

It said troops recovered one light machine gun, one AK-47 rifle, two hand grenades, five AK-47 rifle magazines, 200 linked rounds of light machine gun and other materials, including money and phones.

The army also revealed that in another clash, troops cornered terrorists escorting abducted victims through the Uvaha village in the Gwoza Local Government Area.

“In spite of heavy rainfall, the troops went after the terrorists and eliminated one of them, forcing the others to flee, leaving behind 16 hostages,” it said.

The army said the victims comprised 10 men and six women and that troops uncovered two grenades, a bag of fish and sundry items in a follow-up search of the area.

“Meanwhile, in Yobe, troops set up a well-planned ambush while acting on intelligence about a group of terrorists receiving supplies from their collaborators.

“This led to the neutralisation of four terrorists in the Madza and Azare villages of the Gujba Local Government Area.

“The soldiers captured two AK-47 rifles and two empty AK-47 rifle magazines, as well as other sundry items,” it said.

The army revealed that troops deployed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in synergy with other security agencies, activated a stop-and-search operation on suspected vehicles and apprehended suspects at Kugbo, Abuja.

According to the military, a search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of 178 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition concealed in a bag of flour.

“Also recovered from the suspect is a mobile phone and the sum of ₦29,000.

“All these efforts underscore the Nigerian Army’s unflinching dedication to wiping out terrorism, insurgency, and sundry crimes,” the army said.

(NAN)