Ondo: Troops kill two terrorists, recover weapons

Troops of the 32 Artillery Brigade have neutralised two suspected armed terrorists during a tactical operation along the Akunu–Auga axis of Ondo.

This was disclosed in a statement issued and signed by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 32 Artillery Brigade, Major Irabor Njoka, who said the operation was carried out last Saturday.

Njoka disclosed that the operation was carried by soldiers deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Auga Akoko, in the Akoko North-East Local Government Area of the state,
following credible human intelligence on the movement of armed criminal elements within the area.

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According to him, “the troops swiftly mobilised to intercept the suspects after receiving the intelligence report. On sighting the security personnel, the armed men reportedly engaged the troops in a gun battle.

“The soldiers, however, responded with superior firepower, resulting in the neutralisation of two of the suspected terrorists, while others fled into the surrounding forest with suspected gunshot wounds”

He explained that the operation was conducted in collaboration with operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, as well as local vigilante groups who provided ground support and knowledge of the terrain.

He listed some of the items recovered from the scene include one AK-47 rifle with two magazines and 61 rounds of ammunition.

He disclosed other items found in the possession of the suspects to include, three mobile handsets, a jackknife, a torchlight, suspected illicit drugs, charms and the sum of ₦39,000, alongside other personal effects.

The military authorities described the operation as a significant success in the ongoing efforts to flush out criminal elements operating within the state, particularly along identified criminal corridors.

They noted that the Akunu–Auga Akoko l axis of the state has been under close surveillance as part of sustained clearance and exploitation operations aimed at curbing armed banditry and related crimes.

The Brigade reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting lives and property, stressing that troops will continue to intensify patrols, conduct targeted operations based on actionable intelligence and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies and community stakeholders.

The Brigade urged residents of the state to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies, noting that public cooperation remains vital in the fight against criminality.