Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Hadarin Daji, have neutralised 10 terrorists and rescued nine kidnapped victims in Zamfara and Katsina States.

They also recovered arms and ammunition including motorcycles and communication gadgets from the terrorists.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Operation’s Information Officer, Cpt. Ibrahim Yahaya.

Yahaya said that the feat was recorded during clearance operations commanded by the General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Godwin Mutkut.

He said that on January 3, 2024, the troops conducted an offensive operation in identified terrorist enclaves at Batsari and Safana Local Government Areas of Katsina State, neutralising 10 of the terrorists while others fled with gunshot wounds.

He said that the troops also recovered one AK-47 rifle, ammunition, seven Dane guns, three locally fabricated guns, and other dangerous weapons as well as communication gadgets.

Mobile phones, military uniforms, and four motorcycles were recovered and destroyed by themilitary.

“Similarly, on the same day, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, operating in Zamfara State, conducted a search and rescue operation at Dansadau and Dandalla villages in Maru LG of Zamfara State.

“During the operation, nine kidnapped victims were rescued including five women and four babies,” he said.

Yahaya explained that the victims were abandoned by the terrorists who fled after a gun duel with the resilient troops.

“The rescued victims were immediately reunited with their families at Magami in Zamfara State,” said Yahaya.

The Commander, Maj-Gen Godwin Mutkut, commended the efforts of the troops and urged them to maintain the tempo.

It could be recalled that troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army deployed to Birnin Yero in Igabi LG, Kaduna State, recently rescued 11 civilians kidnapped at Anguwan Maharba and Dandami villages by bandits.

However, two of the abducted victims were killed by the bandits before the arrival of the troops.

Also, men of Operation Hadarin Jadi, destroyed terrorists’ enclaves, neutralised scores of them and recovered arms and ammunition in Zamfara and Sokoto States.