Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 10 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and neutralised 16 terrorists in separate operations across the country.
The operations also led to the recovery of several weapons and the arrest of suspected terrorists, according to an operational report made available to newsmen.
In Imo, troops of Operation UDO KA rescued 10 prospective NYSC members abducted along the Onitsha-Owerri Road in Mbaise Local Government Area.
The rescued persons were abducted from two commercial buses by suspected kidnappers at Umonuwa village at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday.
In its announcement of the rescue, the Nigerian Army said troops of 34 Artillery Brigade responded to the incident and, in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services, launched an operation to rescue the victims.
It said the security forces were also trailing the kidnappers to rescue other victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
In Adamawa, troops of 226 Battalion (Motorised) at Garkida, Gombi Local Government Area, and 232 Battalion at Garaha, Hong Local Government Area, repelled simultaneous attacks by terrorists at about 1 a.m. on Thursday.
The terrorists reportedly fled towards Garkida on motorcycles after the troops repelled the attacks.
The Nigerian Army’s Spartan element subsequently trailed the fleeing terrorists and conducted strikes, neutralising 16 of them.
“Troops recovered three AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, one Dane gun and six AK-47 magazines, alongside some cartridges.
“Troops are currently conducting follow-up operations and reorganising their defensive locations,” the report said.
In Taraba, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE responded to a suspected terrorist attack on Gwamagira settlement in Karim Lamido Local Government Area.
The attackers, who operated on motorcycles, were engaged by troops and forced to retreat, abandoning rustled cattle.
The troops recovered the cattle and returned them to their owners, although one civilian was killed while three others were abducted.
Efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted victims and apprehend the attackers.
Meanwhile, troops of Sector 3, Operation HADIN KAI, arrested a suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist at Babbangida, Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe.
The suspect was arrested at about 12:30 p.m. on September 29 and reportedly claimed to be an Islamic cleric operating in the Sahara area of Niger Republic.
Preliminary investigation indicated that he travelled by truck from the Zarmadu-Sahara general area of Niger Republic into Nigeria before proceeding to Borno.
Troops recovered a mobile phone, prayer mat, blanket, jacket, slate, detergent and N396,200 from him.
Also, troops of Sector 4, in conjunction with Rangers and Hybrid Forces, arrested four suspected terrorists during a fighting patrol in parts of Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa.
In Sokoto, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA engaged terrorists along the Kwanar Isa-Shinkafi Road in Isa Local Government Area.
The troops forced the terrorists to withdraw before dominating the area through patrols.
