KEY POINTS
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Troops rescued 16 kidnapped victims in Niger State.
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Soldiers recovered two AK-47 rifles, three RPG bombs and 38 motorcycles.
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More than ₦4.7 million was recovered during the two operations.
Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 16 kidnapped people and recovered weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and more than ₦4.7 million during separate operations against terrorists and kidnappers in Niger State.
The operations, conducted on November 3 and 5, 2026, also resulted in the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, three rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bombs, seven rifle magazines and 38 motorcycles.
The Army disclosed the development in a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 18 Brigade, Captain Adebayo Adewumi.
Troops Rescue 16 Victims in Kontagora
According to the statement, the first operation took place on November 5 after troops received intelligence about the movement of suspected terrorists from Mashegu Local Government Area towards Rijiyan Nagwamatse in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State.
The soldiers reportedly established an ambush along routes suspected to be used by the armed group and engaged the criminals, who had earlier abducted residents of the area.
The Army said the troops neutralised an unconfirmed number of the attackers and rescued 16 kidnapped victims.
Items recovered during the operation included two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, three RPG high-explosive anti-personnel bombs, 33 motorcycles, assorted ammunition and ₦4,105,000 in cash.
The Army did not disclose the identities of the rescued victims or provide further details about the circumstances of their abduction.
Soldiers Intercept Terrorists Moving From Kebbi
In a separate operation on November 3, troops intercepted suspected terrorists travelling from Makuku Village in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State towards Tungan Kawo in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.
The military said the soldiers engaged the armed group in a fierce exchange of gunfire, forcing the suspects to retreat into a nearby forest with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of five motorcycles, a mobile phone, ₦644,300 in cash and other items.
The Army did not state whether any of the suspects were arrested or provide details about casualties during the encounter.
Rescued Victims Handed Over for Family Reunification
The Army said the 16 rescued victims received first aid before being handed over to the appropriate authorities for reunification with their families.
It added that all recovered items remained in military custody for further action.
The Commander of 18 Brigade commended the troops for their courage, resilience and commitment to duty. He urged them to sustain the operations and intensify efforts to remove criminal groups from the brigade’s area of responsibility.
The statement described the operations as evidence of the Army’s growing capacity to respond to security threats following the expansion of its formations and increased military presence.
It said the expansion was improving the military’s ability to protect communities, respond more quickly to threats and disrupt the logistics and activities of criminal networks.
