The Nigerian Army has announced that troops of the Joint Task Force North West Operation HADARIN DAJI (OPHD) have neutralized 10 terrorists, rescued four babies amongst nine kidnap victims, in separate operations in Katsina and Zamfara states.

Major General Godwin Mutkut, the General Officer Commanding 8 Division Nigerian Army, led the clearance operations on January 3, which also saw the recovery of arms, ammunitions, operational motorcycle and communication gadgets.

A Friday statement by the Nigerian Army detailing the operations, in part, reads:

“Notably, on the 3rd January 2024, the combined troops of the OPHD conducted an offensive operation in identified Terrorist enclaves at Batsari and Safana LGAs of Katsina state, neutralizing 10 of the terrorists while others fled with gunshot wounds.

“The Troops also recovered 1 AK-47 Rifle, ammunition, 7 Dane guns, 3 locally fabricated guns, and other dangerous weapons as well as communication gadgets, mobile phones and military uniforms while 4 Motorcycles recovered and destroyed insitu.

“Similarly, on the same day, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI operating in Zamfara state conducted a search and rescue operation at Dansadau and Dandalla villages in Maru LGA of Zamfara state.

“During the operation, 9 kidnapped victims were rescued, which includes 5 women and 4 babies.

“The victims were abandoned by the terrorists who fled after a gun duel with the resilient troops. The rescued victims were immediately reunited with their families at Magami.”

General Mutkut, while commending the efforts of the troops, urged them to maintain the tempo.