Troops of the Nigerian Army gave terrorists bloody noses on Saturday night and Sunday in Niger and Kaduna states as they killed 18 of them and recovered arms and ammunition.
Eight terrorists who attempted to attack the Wawa Military Cantonment in New Bussa of Borgu Local Government Area of Niger state were killed by the Military who repelled the attack.
It was learnt that the Nigeria Air Force and the Army joined forces to repel the terrorists from gaining access to the military barracks on Saturday night.
The terrorists were said to have planned their attack in two groups as they tried to use force to gain access to the gate of the military barracks.
Unconfirmed sources said that the Chief Commander who led the attack was apprehended by the army.
In a security alert sent to residents of New Bussa in Borgu Local Government Area, the residents were advised to remain indoors until further notice as they were urged to be security conscious.
In Kaduna, Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said troops neutralised seven terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition in Kaduna.’’
He stated that the troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army conducting “Operation Forest Sanity’’ were prepared for further onslaughts against terrorist groups in the Northwest geopolitical zone.
“They conducted clearance operations at Maidaro, Kagi Hill, Kusharki and Anguwan Madaki in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State during which contacts were made with terrorists.
“In the fierce encounter that followed, four bandits were neutralised, forcing others to flee in disarray,’’ Nwachukwu said.
He explained that the gallant troops recovered two AK 47 rifles with two rounds of 7.62mm Special and one automatic pump action gun with three cartridges.
They also recovered six Dane guns, three locally-fabricated pistols with one 9mm round and four motorcycles.
Nwachukwu added that in a separate operation conducted by another fighting patrol team of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, troops intercepted bandits fleeing from Kagi Hill.
They were intercepted along Sabon Birnin–Zartake, Ungwan Lima Riyawa and Tungan Madaki general areas, with support from the air by the Nigerian Air Force.
“In the firefight that ensued, troops neutralised three terrorists,’’ Nwachukwu stated.
He added that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Faruk Yahaya, commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them not to relent until terrorism and other criminalities were brought to an end in the region.