Nigerian army kills two terrorists, rescues 20 abductees in Zamfara

Two terrorists, including a "notorious" rebel leader in Zamfara state, have been killed by Nigerian Army troops.

Yahaya Ibrahim, the information officer for Operation Hadarin Daji, stated in a statement on Tuesday that the terrorists were eliminated during a raid on their hideouts in the state's Zurmi and Birnin Magaji LGAs.

Ibrahim reported that during the operation, the soldiers freed 20 prisoners, including women and children.

He said that members of the joint task force north-west operation Hadarin Daji were responsible for the raids.

He added that all of the terrorists' hideouts and the enclaves of Sule, a different well-known insurgent, were eliminated by the soldiers.

“In the recent success, the troops rescued 20 kidnap victims unhurt and neutralized 2 terrorists including a notorious terrorists’ leader identified as Sainaje from Katsina state in separate operations conducted in Zamfara state,” the statement reads.

“On the 29th January 2024 the OPHD troops during its continuous clearance operation at terrorists’ enclaves at Rukudawa, Dumburum, Tsanu, Birnin Tsaba, Magare and Shamushalle general areas of Zurmi and Birnin Magaji LGA of Zamfara state.

“During the operation all the discovered terrorists’ enclaves including that of a notorious terrorist kingpin identified as Sule were destroyed, as the terrorists fled their camps during heavy contact with the aggressive troops.

“The troops neutralized 2 terrorists including a terrorist leader identified as Sainaje from Katsina state which led to the rescue of 18 kidnap victims comprising 4 males and 14 females as well as children.

“Similarly, the troops of Operation HADARIN rescued 2 victims who were abducted by the terrorists while on transit along the Shinkafi-Isa road in Zamfara state who were abandoned by their captors during a gun duel with the highly motivated troops whose timely response led to the rescue.

“All the rescued victims were handed over to the appropriate authorities to reunite them with their respective families.”

Source