Troops of 18 Brigade said it rescued nine abducted victims and foiled terrorist attacks across Mariga and Rijau Local Government Areas of Niger State.

This was announced on Friday by Adebayo Adewumi, the acting spokesperson for the battalion, noting that on Wednesday troops deployed at Kontagoro conducted offensive operations against the terrorists. 

He stated that the troops rescued nine kidnap victims in Mariga LGA. 

“The victims were subsequently handed over to representatives of the Mariga Local Government authorities for documentation and onward reunification with their families,” Mr Adewumi said.

He added that in a separate operation on the same day, troops conducting a fighting patrol in the Warari general area of Rijau area encountered and successfully cleared a terrorist ambush. 

“During the exploitation of the area, troops recovered seven motorcycles, one camel, 47 cattle and 18 sheep, suspected to have been rustled from local communities.

“The recovered livestock have been handed over to the appropriate authorities,” he said.

The spokesman noted that on Monday, troops of the Brigade’s Quick Response Force, in conjunction with troops of 311 Artillery Regiment (AR) and Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion X (CSIB X) foiled an attempted terrorist attack and infiltration of Inana Village at Majal and Tunga Bisallah villages in Rijau LGA.

“Acting on credible intelligence and maintaining an effective presence in the area, the troops intercepted the terrorists as they attempted to infiltrate the communities,” he noted.

He maintained that on sighting the troops, the terrorists, who were mounted on motorcycles, fled towards the nearby forest. 

He added that the battalion engaged the terrorists, forcing them to abandon their equipment and motorcycles, while some of the fleeing terrorists were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.

“During subsequent exploitation of the area, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one empty magazine and ammunition of different calibres. One motorcycle was also recovered, while six other motorcycles were destroyed on the spot,” Mr Adewumi said.