Army eliminate terrorist leader, rescue hostages in nationwide raids  

The Nigerian Army says it has achieved significant gains in recent operations, neutralising a notorious terrorist commander, Amirul Fiya, also known as Abu Nazir, along with several of his fighters.

Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Apollonia Anele, disclosed in a statement that the operations, conducted between Thursday and Saturday under various commands, also led to the arrest of other suspects, the rescue of kidnapped victims, and the recovery of assorted weapons and ammunition.

In Borno State, troops of the 3 Battalion, deployed at Forward Operating Base Rann Kala in Balge Local Government Area, on Thursday repelled an attack by ISWAP/JAS insurgents. Three terrorists, including their leader Fiya, were killed.

Soldiers recovered an AK-47 rifle, two rocket-propelled grenades, an unexploded ordnance, and other combat gear.

A follow-up operation on August 9, conducted in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force and the Hybrid Force, uncovered another terrorist’s body.

Additional weapons recovered included a QJC 88-barrel gun, an AA gun tripod, 20 rounds of 12.7x108mm ammunition, a backpack, and a bicycle.

In Zamfara State, troops of the 1 Brigade Combat Team 2, acting on credible intelligence, foiled a terrorist operation along the Gusau–Kaura Namoda road in Unguwar Sariki Musulmi, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, on Friday.

The swift military response forced the terrorists to flee, enabling the rescue of two kidnapped victims who were later reunited with their families.

In Ebonyi State, troops of the 24 Special Engineer Regiment on Saturday intervened in a communal clash between Iyimagwu and Ekpomaka communities in Ikwo Local Government Area.

While responding to gunfire from an abandoned building, the soldiers neutralised one armed criminal and seized a G3 rifle, 50 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 16 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and four hand grenades.

Lt.-Col. Anele reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and protecting law-abiding citizens, pledging to sustain aggressive operations in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure lasting peace across the country.