Troops of the Nigerian Army in Plateau, Zamfara and Imo States have rescued four kidnap victims and killed one terrorist and one IPOB/ESN fighter.
A statement by the director of army public relations Major General Onyema Nwachukwu said the troops deployed in Jos South local government of Plateau State rescued one Mrs Rosemary Jekpe at Rafinbuna Village in Bassa local government area in the same state, after a firefight with the kidnappers.
He said the victim was kidnapped at her residence in Abuja Layout, Bukuru Low Cost Housing in Jos South local government area of Plateau State.
Gen Nwachukwu said the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and two motorcycles from the kidnappers.
He said troops also conducted a targeted raid on a suspected criminal enclave at Zamtip Village in Wase local government area of Plateau State, following actionable intelligence.
The statement added that troops during the operation arrested one of the criminals, while another, in a bid to evade arrest, shot and killed himself.
Troops recovered one AK-47 Rifle, five rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition, two empty cases of 7.62mm, three sim cards and one Jackknife from the criminals.
In another operation, in Zamfara State, the troops in a prompt response to a distress call, foiled the abduction of three persons by some extremists on the outskirts of Kwatarkwashi Village in Gusau local government area.
He said the troops engaged and overpowered the extremists in the shootout that followed, forcing them to abandon the three kidnap victims, who were immediately rescued by the troops.
In the South East, he said troops responding to intelligence report of the establishment of a new camp by IPOB /ESN militants on Monday neutralised an IPOB/ESN militant in a sting operation in the new hideout in Ihiteukwa community, Orsu local government area of Imo State.
“The militants, notorious for their reign of terror in the state, were engaged in a gun duel by the troops, resulting in the elimination of one of them, while others took to their heels,” he said.
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