By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Nigerian Army says troops have rescued eight kidnapped victims in separate operations in Zamfara, apprehended 39 suspected drug dealers in Plateau and responded to other security incidents nationwide.
This was disclosed in an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
The report said the troops of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kaura Namoda in Zamfara, rescued two abducted victims after engaging terrorists attacking commuters along the Sabon Gari-Gusau road, forcing the assailants to flee into nearby bushes.
It said that troops discovered two civilians with gunshot wounds during exploitation of the area, and evacuated them to Kaura Namoda General Hospital for medical treatment.
“In another operation, troops and local vigilantes pursued terrorists who kidnapped residents at Kure village in Zamfara, engaged them and rescued six abducted victims after forcing the attackers to flee.
“The rescued victims were identified as Usman, Baba Usman, Hassan, Sunusi, Abdullahi Yahaya and Sule. Troops later patrolled surrounding communities and urged residents to provide timely intelligence.
“Elsewhere, troops responding to terrorists blocking the Gummi-Anka road engaged the attackers,” it said.
The report further stated that troops also responded to a terrorist attack at Danpadama village in Talata Mafara Local Government Area (LGA), to secure the community and restore confidence among residents after the terrorist attack.
In Plateau State, it said the troops conducting raids on criminal hideouts in Bassa LGA apprehended 39 suspected drug dealers and users, recovering suspected illicit substances for further investigation.
“Meanwhile, troops and other security agencies restored calm after suspected cult violence in Ugboren community, Delta, where one person was killed and angry youths destroyed shops and buildings.
“Troops also dispersed protesters who blocked the Gusau-Sokoto highway in Zamfara over persistent insecurity, reopening the road for commuters after restoring normalcy to the area,” it said.