Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Brigade have arrested two suspected terrorists and recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, communication devices and other military-related items during a night patrol in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The suspects, identified as 25-year-old Jabiru Hassan and 23-year-old Umaru Bello, were intercepted in the early hours of Tuesday, August 25, by troops of 1 Brigade Combat Team 2 operating from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kaura Namoda.
Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Yusuf Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to the Army, the operation was part of sustained intelligence-led efforts to disrupt the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements operating within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility.
The troops reportedly encountered the suspects at about 1:50 a.m. during the fighting patrol and immediately apprehended them.
Both suspects are reportedly from Ilela Village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Items recovered from them included one AK-47 rifle, one locally fabricated Dane gun, two rifle magazines and 55 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
The troops also recovered 18 Dane-gun cartridges, one motorcycle, two Baofeng radio sets and a mobile phone.
Other items found in their possession were two MP3 players, a camouflage vest, two jungle hats, a handbag and N44,500 in cash.
The Army said a preliminary examination of the suspects’ mobile phone uncovered photographs and video materials considered potentially incriminating and of intelligence value.
It added that the contents were being subjected to further verification and exploitation by relevant authorities to establish their significance and determine any possible links to terrorist activities in the area.
The Army described the operation as another setback for criminal elements operating in the axis, saying the recovery of weapons, ammunition and communication equipment demonstrated the effectiveness of its intelligence-driven operations and aggressive fighting patrols.
“The interception of the suspects and recovery of weapons, ammunition, communication equipment and other military-related items represent another operational setback for criminal elements operating within the axis,” the statement said.
The Acting Commander of 1 Brigade, Col. J. Umaru, commended the troops for their vigilance, courage and professionalism.
He charged them to sustain the tempo of offensive operations and remain resolute in denying terrorists and other criminal elements the freedom to operate within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility.
Umaru also reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to protecting lives and property while supporting efforts to restore lasting peace and security across Zamfara State.
“The latest success is a clear indication of the Brigade’s determination to maintain operational superiority and decisively confront threats to peace and security in its Area of Responsibility,” the statement added.
