The 1 Division Nigerian Army said its troops killed seven insurgents and recovered weapons and motorcycles in Kaduna.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 1 Division Nigerian Army, by Lt-Col. Musa Yahaya, on Monday in Kaduna.
Mr Yahaya said, “Troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army deployed at a blocking position at Udawa carried out a fighting patrol along Udawa – Kurebe road on May 19.’’
According to him, during the aggressive patrol, troops made contact with insurgents and terrorist elements and engaged them with a heavy volume of fire leading to the annihilation of five terrorists and violent extremists.
He disclosed that items recovered during the encounter included, one pump action gun, six cartridges, one empty AK 47 rifle magazine, one MP3 radio, one phone battery, two Baofeng radio, two Baofeng radio chargers, four memory cards, two sim cards and four charms.
He said, “Relatedly, troops of the division deployed at Sabo Birni in the Igabi Local Government of Kaduna State intercepted suspected movement of terrorist elements at Baka general area on 19 May 2024.’’
Mr Yahaya said that the troops swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the terrorists.
He stated, “In the fire fight that ensued, the terrorists who could not withstand the superior firepower of the troops cowardly fled to nearby hills in disarray with several degrees of gunshot wounds. The troops exploited the general area and recovered one AK 47 rifle and two motorcycles while bloodstains were seen all over the scene of the incident.’’
He also disclosed that troops of the Division while lying in wait at Kwaga village in the Birnin Gwari local government of Kaduna State, made contact with terrorist elements and neutralised two of the criminals.
“Items recovered included two AK 47 rifles, two magazines and two motorcycles, ’’Mr Yahaya said.
The spokesperson said that the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division NA and Commander Operation, Whirl Punch, Maj-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, commended the troops for their aggressive posture.
He charged them to sustain the tempo and make life unbearable for terrorists, insurgents, violent extremists and their cohorts.
He equally appealed to all law-abiding citizens to report to the Nigerian Army or nearest security agencies, persons seen with gunshot wounds seeking medical attention.
Mr Yahaya also appealed to the people of Kaduna and Niger State to avail the army and other security agencies with timely and actionable intelligence for prompt action.