Abuja: The Nigerian Army has announced significant operational victories in recent missions, successfully eliminating a notorious terrorist leader known as Amirul Fiya, alias Abu Nazir, along with other insurgents. The acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Apollonia Anele, stated that the troops also captured additional suspects, rescued kidnapped individuals, and seized various arms and ammunition.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, these operations were conducted between Thursday and Saturday across different commands and formations. In Borno, troops from the 3 Battalion stationed at Forward Operating Base Rann Kala in the Balge Local Government Area thwarted an attack by ISWAP/JAS terrorists on Thursday. The bodies of three terrorists, including their top commander Fiya, were recovered, along with an AK-47 rifle, two rocket-propelled grenades, an unexploded ordnance, and other combat items.
A follow-up operation in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force and Hybrid Force on August 9 led to the discovery of another terrorist’s body. The operation also recovered a QJC 88-barrel gun, an AA gun tripod, 20 rounds of 12.7 x 108mm ammunition, a backpack, and a bicycle.
In Zamfara, Anele detailed that troops from the 1 Brigade Combat Team 2 acted on credible intelligence on Friday regarding terrorist activities on the Gusau-Kaura Namoda road in the Unguwar Sariki Musulmi, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area. The timely response forced the terrorists to retreat, allowing for the rescue and reunion of two kidnapped victims with their families.
Meanwhile, in Ebonyi, troops from the 24 Special Engineer Regiment responded on Saturday to a communal conflict between the Iyimagwu and Ekpomaka communities in the Ikwo Local Government Area. Upon coming under fire from an abandoned building, the troops responded effectively, neutralizing one armed criminal and recovering a G3 rifle, 50 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 16 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and four hand grenades.
Anele emphasized that the Nigerian Army remains steadfast in defending the nation’s sovereignty and ensuring the safety of law-abiding citizens. “We are committed to sustaining aggressive operations, working in synergy with other security agencies, to ensure lasting peace and security across the country,” she affirmed.
