84 Locals rescued, terrorist neutralised during Niger ambush
Troops from the 18 Brigade of the Nigerian Army successfully rescued 84 hostages from terrorists during an operation along the Tegina-Garin Gabas-Zungeru road in the Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
The operation was conducted under Operation Savannah Shield following intelligence reports about the movement of terrorists, who were reportedly traveling on approximately 300 motorcycles near Kwange village.
As the troops established blocking positions along the road, they came under attack at Kwanan Barau. During the subsequent firefight, the soldiers freed the hostages, who had been held captive in Kundu village.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama reported that one terrorist was killed during the encounter, and the troops recovered one motorcycle, a mobile phone, and two locally made Dane guns.
Two soldiers were injured in the engagement and were evacuated to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna for medical treatment. Tragically, one of the wounded soldiers succumbed to injuries while en route to the hospital.
Following the confrontation, the troops are continuing efforts to locate the fleeing terrorists and secure the affected communities and primary travel routes.
