GRAPHIC: Nigerian Army Rescues 13 Kidnapping Victims, Kills 14 Insurgents in Clearing Operation Across Kaduna and Niger State

Today, the Nigerian Army First Division reported a successful coordinated raid against insurgent camps in Kaduna and Niger states. Over the course of two days, troops of the First Divison had six separate operations. Those operations killed fourteen insurgents and rescued thirteen kidnapping victims..The full report of the operations reads below, as stated by Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, acting Deputy Director Army Relations, 1 Division Nigerian Army:."Troops engaged insurgents at Madawaki in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State on 23rd December 2023, neutralizing two insurgents while others fled with gunshot wounds. The encounter led to the recovery of 2 AK rifles, 2 AK rifle magazines, and 1 motorcycle..The troops proceeded to the camp of insurgents' leader Ali Kachalla, where they rescued 13 kidnap victims and recovered items, including an international passport, suspected to belong to a high-profile affiliate of the insurgents. The camp was destroyed, and the rescued victims were provided medical attention before they were reunited with their families..The troops continued to another insurgents' camp, led by Alhaji Laye, which was deserted.However, a search resulted in the recovery of 4 AK 47 rifle magazines..An insurgents' storehouse was also discovered in Madawaki, containing assorted soft drinks, cartons of bottled water, liquid milk, energy drinks, a generator, and other food items. All items and the camp were destroyed on-site..Troops neutralized three insurgents at Maidaro in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and recovered one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 rifle magazine, one dane gun, and two motorcycles..In the Kidandan-Yadi general area of Birnin Gwari, troops destroyed an insurgents' camp, neutralized five insurgents, and recovered 12 motorcycles..Also, troops operating at the Kachia axis on 21 December 2023 in response to a kidnap incident successfully launched an ambush along Maro junction and made contact with the criminal kidnappers. In the fire fight that ensued, troops neutralized 3 of the kidnappers with others escaping with gunshot wounds. Troops recovered the sum of fifteen thousand naira, two mobile phones, one motorcycle and two cutlasses and also rescued an abducted person. The rescued victim, Mr Rabiu Ahmed (25 years old) was rushed to a nearby military hospital, and was subsequently treated, and his dispossessed items returned to him and reunited with his family..In the same vein, in the early hours of 24 December 2023, acting on credible intelligence, troops of 1 Division ambushed insurgents at Kwanar Batero in Kaduna State and neutralized one insurgent. Items recovered include one AK 47 rifle, one magazine, 5 rounds of 7.62 mm, 3 motorcycles and one baofeng radio."