The troops also disrupted illegal bunkering activities, recovered suspected illegally refined petroleum products and intercepted a trailer conveying illegally mined ilmenite
By Moses Okorie
The Nigerian Army says its troops have rescued 13 kidnapped victims, neutralised a suspected kidnapper and intercepted 300 rounds of ammunition in separate operations across the country.
The Army disclosed this in its latest operational update made available on Thursday, covering operations conducted between Sept. 9 and Sept. 10.
According to the report, the troops also disrupted illegal bunkering activities, recovered suspected illegally refined petroleum products and intercepted a trailer conveying illegally mined ilmenite.
Under Operation MESA, troops of 195 Battalion rescued 10 kidnapped victims and recovered the remains of another victim in Elon/Ikakumo Forest, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo.
The rescued victims and the recovered corpse were subsequently handed over to the police at Ibilolo Division for further action.
In Plateau, troops of Sector 6, operating under Operation ENDURING PEACE, neutralised a suspected kidnapper at Angwan Boka, Riyom Local Government Area.
The Army said other suspected kidnappers fled following the encounter, while troops recovered a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and six rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
It added that troops later responded to sporadic shootings by suspected kidnappers along the Jos-Makurdi Road in Riyom.
The intervention forced the criminals to abandon three abducted persons who sustained gunshot wounds, although the kidnappers escaped with two other victims.
The rescued victims were evacuated to the Primary Health Centre, Riyom, for medical treatment, while efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining abductees.
Also in Plateau, troops of Sector 8 conducted a fighting patrol to Kogul village in Mangu Local Government Area, where they engaged suspected militias.
The troops forced the group to withdraw, although a soldier sustained a gunshot wound and was evacuated to General Hospital, Mangu, for treatment.
The troops also intercepted four cattle found grazing unattended on a farmland in Manja community, Mangu, and took them into custody for further action.
Under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, troops apprehended a suspected female terrorist logistics supplier in Buruku town, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The suspect was allegedly found with 300 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition concealed in her bag.
Preliminary interrogation indicated that she had travelled from Zamfara to Lafia, where she allegedly received the ammunition for onward delivery to Birnin Gwari.
In the South-South, troops of 6 Division Garrison, operating under Operation DELTA SAFE, arrested a suspected illegal bunkerer at Omoku, Rivers State.
The suspect was intercepted with a vehicle conveying eight 200-litre gallons containing a substance suspected to be illegally refined automotive gas oil.
Troops also discovered three illegal refining sites in Okarki Forest, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers.
The sites contained crude oil, suspected illegally refined AGO, reservoirs, ovens, pipes and other equipment used for illegal refining.
The troops recovered about 320 litres of stolen crude oil in six sacks and 1,080 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO.
Similarly, troops of 246 Battalion intercepted a trailer conveying illegally mined ilmenite along the Tuomo-Bomadi Road in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta.
The trailer was moved to Headquarters Sector 1, Joint Task Force South South, for further action.
The report also disclosed that troops recovered and buried the remains of a soldier who accidentally fell into the water from a houseboat at Agoubiri, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa, on Sept. 6.