Troops foil terror attack in Adamawa, rescue kidnap victims

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Sector 4 of the Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, OPHK, have recorded major successes in Adamawa State, following the foiling of a terrorist attack, the rescue of three kidnap civilians and the recovery of weapons, ammunition and explosive materials.

The military disclosed that the operations were carried out in separate locations across the state, demonstrating the troops’ continued efforts to combat terrorism and protect residents.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said troops on November 8 successfully repelled an attempted attack by Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, terrorists at Zangula Kilba Junction in Gombi Local Government Area.

Other items recovered from the scene included desert boots, a camelback backpack, an Android mobile phone, a wristwatch and N15,000 in cash.

The military added that follow-up operations were ongoing to locate the fleeing terrorists and prevent them from regrouping.

In another operation on November 9, troops stationed in Mubi rescued three civilians following a kidnapping incident around Dutse-Uku in Mubi South Local Government Area.

The operation followed a distress call from farmers reporting the abduction of Mrs Happiness Dama Dauda while working on her farm. The suspected kidnappers were also said to have taken her motorcycle.

Responding swiftly, the troops mobilised to the area alongside local hunters and mounted pressure on the suspected abductors, forcing them to abandon their victim and escape.

The military said further pursuit operations resulted in the rescue of two other residents believed to have been kidnapped earlier, bringing the number of rescued victims to three.

During the operation, troops also recovered a motorcycle, a tricycle loaded with 15 bags of beans and a Hi-Jet pickup carrying 13 bags of groundnuts. The vehicles and agricultural produce reportedly belonged to other farmers who narrowly escaped the kidnappers.

The recovered property was subsequently identified by the respective village heads and returned to its rightful owners.

Captain Goni stated that troops had intensified patrols and surveillance across the affected communities to prevent further attacks, restrict the activities of criminal groups and reassure residents of their safety.

He said the latest operational gains reflected the Nigerian Army’s determination to weaken terrorist networks, destroy their operational capabilities and safeguard innocent citizens against attacks and abductions.

The statement also highlighted the importance of timely intelligence sharing and cooperation between security agencies and local communities in tackling terrorism and other criminal activities.

Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining sustained military pressure on terrorists and their collaborators, with the aim of denying them the opportunity to threaten peace, security and economic activities across the North-East.

Captain Mohammed Goni is the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Maiduguri.