By Sumaila Ogbaje

Troops of the Nigerian Army have in the last 24 hours, rescued 34 kidnap victims, apprehended suspected ISWAP informants and recovered arms, ammunition in coordinated operations nationwide.

This is contained in an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.

The report said that troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued 31 kidnap victims from terrorists along the Buratai-Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno.

It said the rescue followed a swift response after troops of 135 Special Forces Battalion detected ISWAP/JAS terrorists abducting civilians from four vehicles through CCTV surveillance.

According to the report, troops immediately deployed a quick reaction force, engaged the terrorists and forced them to abandon the victims and flee with one motorcycle left behind.

“In another operation, troops of 145 Battalion conducted a fighting patrol to the Turoh general area of Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area.

“The terrorists reportedly fled on sighting the troops, leaving behind two motorcycles and illicit drugs recovered during exploitation of the area.

“Also, troops of 232 Battalion Tactical apprehended a suspected ISWAP informant at Garaha Market in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa,” it said.

In the North-West, the report revealed that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA engaged terrorists moving with rustled cattle in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara.

It added that the troops’ superior fire power forced the terrorists to withdrew in disarray during the encounter.

The report also revealed that troops of Operation MESA rescued a kidnapped woman and her two children along the old Obajana-Jakura-Tajimi road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi.

According to the report, preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted on July 29 from a Ruga settlement in the Gada-Biyu area of the same local government.

“In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace responded to reports of an attack on a herder in Bassa Local Government Area.

“The assailants had fled before the troops arrived, while the deceased and recovered cattle were handed over to the victim’s family,” it added.

In the South-East, the report said the troops of Operation UDO KA recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of three suspected terrorists linked to the ambush of troops in Imo on May 4.

It added that the operation, conducted in Delta and Imo states, followed intelligence obtained from earlier arrested suspects.

According to the report, troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, one FN rifle, a pistol, 11 AK-47 magazines, two FN magazines, 239 rounds of assorted ammunition, a fragmentation jacket and other military items from terrorist camps.

“The recovered weapons included rifles earlier carted away during the May ambush on troops, while further exploitation led to the discovery of another terrorist camp containing additional arms and ammunition,” it said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has urged residents of the state to reject what he described as agents of violence by coming out in large numbers to vote in the August 15 governorship election.

Speaking during a church service at Winners Chapel in Osogbo on Sunday, Adeleke said voters should not be intimidated by threats or violence allegedly linked to the opposition.

According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor claimed that the opposition had resorted to violence after losing the support of the people and realising that defeat was imminent.

He added that neither he nor the people of Osun State were intimidated by such actions.

“I urge all residents to come out peacefully on election day and use their votes to reject those behind the violence,” Adeleke said.

“On August 15, Osun people will show agents of violence that we are not cowards. Our people’s safety is guaranteed. Come out and vote. Punish those killing and maiming our people by voting against them on August 15,” he said.

The governor assured residents that his administration remained committed to protecting lives and property, stressing that their safety was his top priority.

Adeleke said he was not intimidated by the Osun APC, insisting that his administration had the capacity to face any challenge.

However, he stressed that his priority remained the safety and protection of the people, urging residents to come out and vote according to their conscience.

“Our record in workers’ welfare, healthcare, education, infrastructure, agriculture and other sectors speaks for itself, and I am confident the people of Osun will give us another mandate on August 15,” Adeleke said.