Nigerian army frees 16 hostages in Niger State
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Daily Post
The Nigerian army freed 16 people abducted during operations on 3 and 5 November in Niger State, seizing rifles, ammunition, motorcycles and 4,105,000 naira. The operations also disrupted the movements of armed groups, according to Captain Adebayo Samuel Adewumi.
Troops of the 18th Brigade of the Nigerian army freed 16 people abducted during an operation on 5 November in Niger State, according to a statement signed by Captain Adebayo Samuel Adewumi, acting public relations officer of the brigade. The soldiers also recovered two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, three RPG explosive anti-personnel bombs, 33 motorcycles, ammunition and 4.105 million naira.
The soldiers had received intelligence indicating that an armed group was moving from Mashegu towards Rijiyan Nagwamatse, in the Kontagora local government area. They took up positions along a suspected route and ambushed the group, which had reportedly abducted residents in the area, according to the Nigerian army. An undetermined number of group members were neutralised during the clash.
Another operation conducted on 3 November intercepted armed men travelling from Makuku, in Kebbi State, towards Tungan Kawo, in the Rijau area of Niger State. Five motorcycles, a mobile phone and 644,300 naira were recovered after they withdrew into a nearby forest, according to Captain Adewumi.
The 16 people freed received first aid before being handed over to the relevant authorities for care and reunification with their families, according to the Nigerian army. The seized weapons and other equipment were placed under military control for investigation.
