It said the troops killed a suspected fighter of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Imo State and seized some arms.
The Nigerian Army has said that its troops foiled multiple kidnap attempts in Plateau and Zamfara states.
It said the troops killed a suspected fighter of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Imo State and seized some arms.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement on Tuesday, adding that troops deployed in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State rescued one Mrs Rosemary Jekpe, who was kidnapped at her residence in Abuja Layout, Bukuru Low-Cost Housing in the Jos South Local Government Area of the state.
Nwachukwu said the kidnap victim was rescued at Rafinbuna village in the Bassa Local Government Area in the same state, after a shootout with the kidnappers. He added that the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and two motorbikes from the kidnappers.
According to him, the troops also conducted a targeted raid on a suspected criminal enclave at Zamtip village in the Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, following actionable intelligence.
The army spokesman said during the operation, troops arrested one of the criminals, while another, in a bid to evade arrest shot and killed himself.
He said that troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, five rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, two empty cases of 7.62mm, three SIM cards and one Jack-knife from the suspects.
In another operation in Zamfara State, Nwachukwu said that troops in a prompt response to a distress call, foiled the abduction of three persons by violent extremists on the outskirts of Kwatarkwashi Village in the Gusau Local Government Area of the state.
He said the troops engaged and overpowered the extremists in the shootout that followed, forcing the suspects to abandon the three victims who were immediately rescued by the troops.
The army spokesman said, “One of the victims, however, sustained injury and has been evacuated to a hospital for further medical attention, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
“In South Eastern Nigeria, troops of the Nigerian Army responding to intelligence report of the establishment of a new camp by IPOB /ESN militants on Monday 18 March 2024, neutralized 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.
“Troops have destroyed the terrorists' camp and on the trail of the fleeing militants. Troops recovered a fabricated single-barrel gun from the militant.”
“The Nigerian Army reaffirms its dedication to safeguarding lives and property of all citizens, as we sincerely extend our gratitude to vigilant members of the public, whose cooperation remains instrumental in ongoing efforts to combat insurgency, terrorism and sundry criminality across the nation,” Nwachukwu added.