The Nigerian army says its troops killed 14 insurgents and rescued 13 kidnapped victims in Niger and Kaduna.

Army spokesman Musa Yahaya disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

The troops neutralised the insurgents in continuation of the operations by 1 Division Nigerian Army to rid the area of responsibility of violent extremists, insurgents and criminal elements, said the army.

It said the troops, on December 23, set out to clear the remnant of insurgents in Niger.

The troops made contact at Madawaki in Shiroro LGA of Niger and killed two insurgents, with others fleeing with gunshot wounds, adding that the troops recovered two AK-47 Rifles, two AK-47 magazines and one motorcycle, according to the statement.

“Troops proceeded to the camp of eliminated insurgents leader, Ali Kachalla, where his foot soldiers cowardly absconded on troops’ approach. Search of the camp led to the rescue of 13 kidnap victims, all males,” it added.

The victims said they were kidnapped in Niger on October 13, 2023.

The troops also recovered items, including an international passport suspected to belong to a high-profile affiliate of the insurgents and a few military and warlike accessories.

The army said the rescued persons were referred to a military medical facility for medical attention and reunited with their families.
He said the troops also projected to another insurgents’ deserted camp dominated by insurgent leader Alhaji Laye.

“The camp was destroyed, and troops returned to Madawaki where an insurgent’s storehouse was discovered with assorted soft drinks, cartons of bottled water, milk and energy drinks. Other items discovered in the storehouse were a generator and foodstuff. The items and the camp were destroyed,” said the statement.

On operation in Kaduna, the army said the troops killed three insurgents at Maidaro in Birnin Gwari LGA on December 23 and recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 rifle magazine, one Dane gun and two motorcycles.

In the Kidandan-Yadi general area of Birnin Gwari, the troops’ offensive also led to the destruction of the insurgents’ camp, where the troops neutralised five insurgents and recovered 12 motorcycles.

Similarly, the troops operating at the Kachia axis, while responding to a kidnap incident on December 21, successfully launched an ambush along Maro junction and made contact with the kidnappers.

The army said the troops neutralised three insurgents in the firefight that ensued, while others escaped with gunshot wounds, adding that the troops rescued one kidnapped victim and recovered N50,000, two mobile phones, one motorcycle and two cutlasses.

“The rescued victim was rushed to a nearby military hospital for treatment, his dispossessed items returned to him and reunited with his family. In the early hours of December 24, acting on credible intelligence, troops of 1 Division ambushed insurgents at Kwanar Batero in Kaduna State and neutralised one terrorist.

“Items recovered include one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, five rounds of 7.62 mm, three motorcycles and one baofeng radio,” said the statement.

(NAN)