Troops kill 10 terrorists, rescue abducted victims in Katsina, Zamfara

TROOPS of the Joint Task Force, North-West Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) have killed 10 terrorists and rescued nine abducted victims in Katsina State.

The troops also rescued nine abducted victims and recovered communication gadgets, arms and ammunition in Zamfara State.

A military source disclosed this on Thursday in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, that the recent achievements were recorded during the dry season clearance operations commanded by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Major-General Godwin Mutkut.

The source said: “On January 3, combined troops of OPHD conducted an offensive operation on identified terrorist enclaves at Batsari and Safana local government areas of Katsina State, killing 10 terrorists, while others fled with gunshot wounds.

“The troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, ammunition, seven dane guns, three locally-fabricated guns and other dangerous weapons, as well as communication gadgets, mobile phones and military uniforms.

“Four motorcycles recovered from the enclave were destroyed on the spot.”

The source added further that, “on the same day, the troops operating in Zamfara State conducted a search and rescue operation at Dansadau and Dandalla villages in Maru Local Government Area.

“During the operation, nine kidnapped victims were rescued, which included five women and four babies. The victims were abandoned by the terrorists who fled after a gun duel with the troops.”

He said the rescued victims were immediately reunited with their families at Magami town in the state.

Commander of OPHD, Major-General Mutkut, commended the efforts of the troops, just as he urged them to maintain the tempo towards eliminating crime and criminals in the North-West.