Troops rescue abductees from insurgents in Borno

In continuation of the drive to clear marauding insurgents in the state, the Operation LAFIYA DOLE in conjunction with the 21 Special Armoured Brigade’s Quick Response Force (QRF) has thwarted the kidnap of three civilians.

A statement issued Monday by the media coordinator, Operation Lafiya Dole, Col Aminu Iiyasu, said the rescue operation occurred about 12:20 pm on October 4, 2019 when the troops, while acting on information, blocked and engaged the criminal insurgents in a fierce fire fight at a crossing point around Firgi village in Bama LGA of Borno state, leading to the rescue of the civilians and a canter truck loaded with grains.

The criminal insurgents, who succumbed to the superior fire power of the troops, abandoned the hijacked truck and its occupants and fled in disarray into the forest.

The gallant troops are still on the trail of the criminal insurgents while the rescued victims have been escorted safely back to their destination as the troops continue to dominate the area and deny the criminal elements freedom of action within the entire theatre of operation.

In another development, about 9:30 am on 5 October 2019, troops of 114 Task Force Battalion, while on clearance operations, discovered 2 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by criminal insurgents along Bitta – Yamteke Road.

The devices were successfully detonated by the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team, thus making the route safe again for commuters.

Similarly, in the South-south, troops on Operation MESA raided the criminal hide-outs of some identified kidnap kingpins in Rivers state. 

The suspected kidnappers, who have been terrorising innocent citizens met their waterloo when troops of 29 Battalion simultaneously raided the criminal hideouts in Obio/Akpor, Tai and Gokana LGAs of Rivers state on October 2, 2019.

The  statement added that the raid led to the arrest of four high profile criminals who have been on the security agencies’ wanted list.

Meanwhile, the statement stated that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai  once more appealed to the good citizens of our great country to continue to support the Army’s resolve to completely rid their communities of criminal elements by providing useful information to effectively tackle the myriads  of the security challenges facing the nation.