Troops kill 11 terrorists, recover military uniforms, weapons

Troops of the Nigerian Army in separate operations conducted in Zamafara and Katsina states killed no fewer than 11 terrorists.

The terrorists were killed following a raid on terrorist kingpin enclaves in the states.

In Zamafara, the hideout of a terrorist leader,  Hassan Yantagwaye, in the Tsafe Local Government Area was raided which resulted in a gun battle with two of his men killed in the operation.

This was contained in a post by the Nigerian Army on X  on Monday.

It read, “Nigerian Army troops deployed for Counter-Terrorism, Counter-Insurgency operations in Katsina and Zamfara states in a series of coordinated operations have raided terrorists’ enclaves resulting in the elimination of a significant number of terrorists.

“In an operation in Zamfara State, on March 29, 2024, troops successfully raided the den of a notorious terrorists’ kingpin, Hassan Yantagwaye, in the Tsafe Local Government Area. Yantagwaye and his group have been responsible for kidnappings and acts of terrorism in some parts of the North-West Nigeria.

“During the operation, troops overpowered the terrorists in an ensuing gun battle, neutralising three of them and recovering a large cache of arms and ammunition. Troops also destroyed the terrorists’ camps.”

According to the post, the operation conducted in Katsina led to the death of eight terrorists.

Weapons and military uniforms were recovered from the terrorists.

“In Katsina State, the gallant troops on 30 March 2024 engaged in a fierce gun battle with terrorists in Shawu Kuka, Shinda, Tafki, Gidan Surajo, and Citakushi in Kabai I and Kabai II within Faskari Local Government Area.

“The troops neutralised eight terrorists and recovered three locally-fabricated guns, military uniforms, and a large number of stolen grains,” the post added.

The service also said troops captured armed fighters in Ebonyi and intercepted illicit drugs in Ogun State.

The service added, “In Ebonyi State, troops conducting night patrols on 31 April 2024, encountered armed Effium militias along  Urban Effium in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. Troops overpowered the militias in a combat engagement that followed and captured one of the militias.

“The troops also recovered one AK-47 rifle and 11 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. The suspect is currently undergoing a preliminary investigation.

“Troops on 29 March 2024 intercepted 441 wraps of substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa at Molegede village in the Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State.

“The vigilant troops uncovered the illicit substances being conveyed in a Mazda saloon car, after the smugglers absconded, abandoning the vehicle on sighting the troops. The vehicle and illicit products will be handed over to the appropriate agency after preliminary investigations.”