Troops of the Nigerian Army operating in 1 Division have neutralized insurgents and recovered firearms and ammunition in the general area of Igabi, Giwa and Birnin Gwari Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu on Thursday saying that the troops were in an operation to flush out the insurgents from the areas and bring succour to the people.
“The troops, while on a fighting patrol along Maganda-Dausayi – Mugaba axis, came under fire from insurgents who employed rustled herds of cattle as shields while they engaged the troops with direct fire.
“The insurgents whose number could not be ascertained fired several shots at the troops from the cover of the herds of livestock prompting immediate response from troops.
“In the firefight that issued and lasted for about an hour, troops neutralised 2 of the insurgents and recovered 1 AK 47 rifle,1 AK 47 Magazine, 3 rounds of 7.62mm Special , 1 Techno phone, 3 Hilux, motorcycle keys, wraps of substance suspected to be marijuana, tramadol tablets and the sum of 13,200 Naira only.”
Some of the rustled livestock used as shield in encounter by the insurgents were caught in the crossfire while the troops continued on the trail of the fleeing insurgents.
In a separate operation, the troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army successfully ambushed marauding insurgents along the Bada – Riyawa axis on the Kaduna – Birnin Gwari Road.
In the encounter, troops neutralized 6 insurgents and recovered 2 AK 47 rifles, 5 AK 47 rifle magazines, 300 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and 19 motorcycles which were destroyed instantly.
Intelligence sources reported that the notorious bandit Kingpin Boderi, who orchestrated many high profile kidnappings including the Yauri school girls, Greenfield University and Nigerian Defence Academy attacks was killed alongside another kingpin, Bodejo in the ambush.
“Efforts are on to authenticate this using other means,” the statement said.
The Nigerian Army therefore called on members of the public to continue to cooperate with them and other security agencies in the ongoing war against terrorism and insurgency in the country.
