Military kills terrorists, rescues 36 captives

The Defence Headquarters says troops rescued 36 abducted people and killed several suspected terrorists during operations across Nigeria.

The director of defence media operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday detailing military activities conducted between 31 August and 3 September.

Onoja said troops killed a suspected terrorist on 1 September after detonating an improvised explosive device along the Miyanti-Banki Junction supply route in Bama, Borno state.

A rifle, ammunition and an IED initiator were reportedly recovered during the operation.

In Yobe state, troops killed another suspected terrorist during an encounter at the Lamusuri crossing point in Gujba and recovered a rifle and ammunition.

Onoja said soldiers intercepted a man described as a terrorist escapee near Sabsawa in Bama on 31 August. The man reportedly fled from a terrorist enclave because of hunger and difficult living conditions.

Troops also arrested a suspect in Konduga for allegedly transporting food supplies to a terrorist enclave in Bama.

A suspected former terrorist fighter accused of serving as an informant was arrested in Damasak, Mobbar, on 1 September.

Onoja said 21 women and children surrendered to troops in Mafa, Dikwa, on 2 September following clashes between rival terrorist factions.

Another suspected escapee was intercepted near Amuda Bridge in Gwoza, while a man accused of spying for terrorists was arrested along the Kauwa-Kukawa road.

In the north-west, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma continued operations against suspected terrorists and kidnappers in Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

Onoja said troops killed two suspected terrorist leaders and wounded another during a raid on hideouts in Kogo, Matazu local government area of Katsina state, on 31 August.