Army rescues 16 kidnap victims, seizes rifles and ₦4.7m in Niger
- Troops of 18 Brigade rescued 16 abducted people in Kontagora, Niger State, on November 5.
- The Army said it recovered two AK-47 rifles, three RPG bombs, motorcycles and about ₦4.7m in cash.
- A separate operation in Rijau on November 3 yielded five more motorcycles and ₦644,300.
The Nigerian Army says its troops have rescued 16 people who had been abducted in Niger State, in an operation against armed men in Kontagora Local Government Area.
The rescue happened on November 5, according to a statement from Captain Adebayo Adewumi, acting assistant director of army public relations at 18 Brigade. The statement was reported by Punch, Channels TV and Sahara Reporters.
According to the Army, troops acted on intelligence that armed men were moving from Mashegu Local Government Area towards Rijiyan Nagwamatse in Kontagora. The soldiers set an ambush and made contact with the group, which had earlier taken residents of the area.
The Army said an unconfirmed number of the attackers were killed in the encounter. It did not give a figure.
What was recovered
From that operation, the military listed two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, three rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) high-explosive anti-personnel bombs, 33 motorcycles, assorted ammunition and ₦4,105,000 in cash.
The rescued victims were given first aid and handed over to the appropriate authorities to be reunited with their families, the Army said. The recovered items remain in military custody.
In a related operation on November 3, troops intercepted another group moving from Makuku Village in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State towards Tungan Kawo in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State. The Army said a firefight forced the group to retreat into the forest with gunshot wounds.
A search afterwards turned up five motorcycles, a mobile phone, ₦644,300 and other items.
Adding both operations, the Army recovered 38 motorcycles and ₦4,749,300 in cash. The Commander of 18 Brigade praised the troops and asked them to keep up the pressure on criminal groups in the area.
Why it matters
Kidnapping for ransom and attacks by armed groups have made travel and farming risky in parts of Niger State and neighbouring Kebbi. Motorcycles are often used by these groups to move quickly and to ferry victims, so seizures can slow them down.
The Army said the results show what its expanding formations and presence can achieve. It did not say whether anyone has been arrested or charged.
The operation comes after suspected terrorists abducted 14 students of an Islamiyya school and their teacher in Tungan-Bako village, Rafi Local Government Area, on October 31, according to Channels TV. The Niger State House of Assembly has called for more military bases in vulnerable communities.
What happens next: The rescued victims are expected to be reunited with their families. The military has not said whether operations will continue in the same areas.
