Troops foil terrorist attack on military base, rescue 21 female students in Borno

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have foiled an attempted terrorist infiltration on a military base and safely evacuated 21 female students following intelligence reports of a planned terrorist attack in Borno State.

According to the latest operational reports made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, troops also arrested a suspected cross-border kidnapper believed to be operating between Nigeria and Cameroon, while several other successful operations were carried out across different parts of the country.

The report disclosed that troops of the 3 Battalion at the Forward Operating Base in Logomani detected suspected ISWAP/JAS terrorists attempting to encircle their position through Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance.

The troops immediately engaged the terrorists in a firefight, forcing them to retreat before they could execute the planned infiltration of the military base.

In another operation, troops of Sector 3 acted on credible intelligence indicating that seven suspected ISWAP/JAS terrorists carrying improvised explosive devices (IEDs) had been sighted near the Water Board Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Monguno.

Acting swiftly, the troops evacuated 21 female students staying in the vicinity to the Kinnasara Barracks to prevent possible casualties.

According to the report, three of the students suffered seizures during the evacuation but were promptly taken to hospital, where they were stabilised. Security was also reinforced around the area to prevent any further threat.

Elsewhere, troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion, working alongside local hunters, engaged suspected terrorists at Surajo village in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The terrorists reportedly fled the scene under pressure, abandoning three bicycles and two coolers.

In Adamawa State, troops of the 247 Reconnaissance Battalion, in collaboration with local hunters, arrested a suspected kidnapper at Gaya in Mubi South Local Government Area.

The suspect reportedly confessed to being a member of a kidnapping syndicate operating from the Solere Forest in Cameroon, adding that members of the gang regularly crossed into Nigeria to carry out abductions before returning across the border.

In Kogi State, troops of Operation MESA, working jointly with the police and local vigilantes, rescued a kidnapped victim along the Koton Karfe–Okparake Road.

During the operation, three suspected terrorists were arrested.

Security operatives recovered one Dane gun, one motorcycle, three mobile phones, and ₦23,000 from the suspects.

The rescued victim has since been reunited with family members.

Meanwhile, in Kebbi State, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA responded to reports of terrorist activities along the Wasagu-Ayu Road in Wasagu Local Government Area.

The troops engaged the terrorists in a gun battle, forcing them to flee the area and abandon two motorcycles.

The military said the operations form part of ongoing efforts to sustain pressure on terrorist groups and criminal elements across the country. (NAN)