Troops, Police Sustain Onslaughts Against Terrorists, Bandits in Fresh Attacks in Kano, Kogi, Borno, Sokoto, Taraba

Nigerian military and security forces have continued their onslaught against terrorist and banditry gangs, thwarting attacks in some communities and rescuing abducted persons in the northern part of the country. In one of the latest incidents, security operatives deployed under the “Operation MESA” Joint Task Force, rescued seven persons who were kidnapped at Yankamaye Cikin Gari village in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State in the early hours of Saturday. The JTF, led by troops of Three Brigade of the Nigerian Army, with the support of operatives of the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigeria Police Force, responded the same day and rescued some of the kidnapped victims. However, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations of the Three Brigade, Captain BABATUNDE ZUBAIRU, disclosed in a statement that the abductors killed a sixty-year-old woman in the area. Similarly, troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East, have rescued twelve teenage girls who were abducted by terrorists on November 23, in Mussa District, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.  The Nigerian Army confirmed the successful rescue mission in a statement on its social media platforms, saying that the victims were freed on Saturday, November 29, following a swift and intelligence-led operation. Meanwhile; terrorists struck yesterday at Chacho village, in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and abducted a bride, the bridesmaid and eight other intending wedding guests. The spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP AHMAD RUFA’I, confirmed the attack, which happened in the early hours of Sunday, few hours before the marriage ceremony.  Elsewhere; terrorists on Sunday, abducted a pastor, his wife and several other worshippers following an attack at the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Ejiba, in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State. The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, KINGSLEY FANWO, confirmed the incident, adding efforts were being made to secure the release of the victims. FANWO said the authorities of Yagba West Local Government Council are spearheading the operation through the security agencies, with Governor AHMED USMAN ODODO coordinating the activities. Earlier on Saturday, troops of the Twelve Brigade of the Nigerian Army rescued five kidnapped persons in two coordinated operations around the Isanlu–Egbe General Area of Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State.  In yet another development; soldiers under Six Brigade of the Nigerian Army have killed four armed militias and recovered weapons at Usmanu Village, in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State. The Brigade spokesman, Lieutenant UMAR MOHAMMED, said the troops had responded to renewed communal violence between Shomo and Wurkun communities over a long-standing land dispute. Lieutenant UMAR MOHAMMED said an operative of the Nigeria Police Force was also arrested for allegedly operating alongside the armed militia.