Troops from 1 Division of the Nigerian Army were out on patrol in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State on February 6, 2024. They encountered a group of insurgents and a fight broke out.
During the fighting, the troops were able to stop four insurgents, but the others managed to escape, some of them wounded by gunfire.
The soldiers found and seized three AK 47 rifles, seven AK 47 rifle magazines, and two motorcycles from the insurgents.
Similarly, on February 7, 2024, troops stationed in Birnin Gwari got information about insurgents moving in the area.
They quickly went to Kwaga village to intercept them. The insurgents were overwhelmed by the troops’ firepower and fled into the forest, leaving behind the people they had kidnapped.
The soldiers rescued all 11 victims who were kidnapped from Masuku village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State on February 6, 2024.
The victims included Zakari Galadima (54 years old), Ishaku Galadima (50 years old), Habibu Illaysu (40 years old), Nuzuli Ibrahim (18 years old), Ramatu Aliyu (60 years old), Ubaida Mubarak (30 years old), Zaliha Mubarak (9 months old), Umma Haruna (22 years old), Khairatu Salisu (34 years old), Rahamatu Usman (43 years old), and Rakiyia Yahaya (24 years old). The soldiers also found and recovered one motorcycle.
Initial investigations showed that the victims were taken from their village in Masuku, Niger State. The soldiers provided medical care to the rescued victims and reunited them with their families.
Major General Valentine Okoro, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army and the Force Commander of Operation WHIRL PUNCH, praised the troops for their success.
He urged the public to continue providing timely information to the troops and other security agencies.
He also asked locals to report anyone seeking medical help for gunshot wounds to the soldiers or other security forces for quick action.
