By Saminu Ibrahim
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have neutralised two terrorists, rescued three kidnapped civilians and recovered arms, ammunition and explosive materials during separate operations in Adamawa State.
The operations, conducted between November 8 and 9, also led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, ammunition, motorcycles and farm produce belonging to residents.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said troops deployed at Zangula Kilba Junction in Gombi Local Government Area repelled an attempted attack by Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists on November 8.
Goni said the troops overwhelmed the attackers, neutralising two terrorists and forcing others to flee.
He disclosed that items recovered from the scene included two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, 115 rounds of ammunition, three belts of empty ammunition links and two cases of locally fabricated explosive devices.
Other recovered items included desert boots, a backpack, an Android phone, a wristwatch and ₦15,000.
According to him, troops have commenced exploitation operations to track down the fleeing terrorists and prevent them from regrouping.
In another operation on November 9, troops deployed in Mubi rescued three civilians following an abduction incident around Dutse-Uku in Mubi South Local Government Area.
The military spokesman said the troops responded to a distress call from farmers after suspected kidnappers abducted a woman, identified as Mrs Happiness Dama Dauda, while working on her farm.
He said the kidnappers also reportedly took her motorcycle.
Goni explained that troops, working alongside local hunters, mobilised to the area and mounted pressure on the suspects, forcing them to abandon their victim and flee.
He added that sustained pursuit operations led to the rescue of two additional residents suspected to have been abducted earlier, bringing the total number of rescued victims to three.
The troops also recovered a motorcycle, a tricycle conveying 15 bags of beans and a Hi-Jet pickup carrying 13 bags of groundnuts belonging to other farmers who narrowly escaped the kidnappers.
The recovered items were identified by the respective village heads and subsequently returned to their owners.
Goni said troops had intensified patrols and surveillance across the area to prevent further attacks, restrict the movement of criminal elements and reassure residents of their safety.
He reaffirmed the commitment of Operation HADIN KAI to sustaining operational pressure on terrorist groups and their collaborators, while protecting lives and property across the North-East.
He also stressed the importance of timely intelligence sharing and collaboration between security agencies and local communities in tackling terrorism and other security threats.
