Troops on operations in Zamfara and Kaduna states have killed 13 suspected terrorists, rescued nine kidnapped victims and recovered cache of arms, ammunition and other equipments used by the criminals.
A wee-hour operation yesterday by troops of Hadarin Daji in Zamfara State left at least 10 suspected terrorists dead while nine victims they kidnapped from Sokoto State were rescued.
Many of the criminals were said to have drowned in a swampy river as they fled the battlefield while two of them were arrested.
One of the victims, a female, was said to have been killed by the criminals during the exchange of fire with the troops, while the others were successfully handed over to the appropriate authority to be reunited with their families.
It was reported that the operation was executed by troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Danmarke who received credible intelligence on the movement of terrorists from Sokoto to Zamfara through Gadazaima village.
The troops were said to have immediately mobilized to ambush the criminals and a gun battle that lasted over four hours ensued when the opposing sides made contacts.
The criminals who lost 10 of their fighters in the gun duel, were said to have surrendered to the superior fire power of the military and escaped into surrounding bushes with bullet injuries, abandoning their victims.
The troops, it was gathered, recovered six AK-47 rifles, 1PKT Machine Gun, five Magazines, 20 rounds of 7.62MM special ammunition, three mobile phones, two solar panels, a sewing machine and N2,410,000 from the criminals.
In Kaduna State, troops of 1 Division killed three suspected terrorists and captured arms, equipment belonging to the criminals.
A statement yesterday by the division’s acting Deputy Director, Musa Yahaya, said the onslaught took place at Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
“During the well planned and adequately executed operation, troops neutralized three bandits and captured one AK-47 rifle, two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and eight motorcycles.
“Others include three locally made magazines, six mobile phones, drugs and charms,” said Yahaya.
