Troops rescue 16 kidnapped victims, recover 33 motorcycles, N4.7m cash

The troops of 18 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued 16 abducted persons and recovered dangerous weapons, ammunition, and motorcycles in Niger State.

The troops made the recovery in an operation conducted on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

The Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 18 Brigade, Captain Adebayo Adewumi, in a statement issued on Friday, November 6, said the troops, while acting on credible intelligence about the movement of terrorists from Mashegu Local Government Area towards Rijiyan Nagwamatse in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State, established an ambush along suspected terrorist routes.

Adewumi said the troops made contact with the terrorists, who had earlier abducted residents of the area, neutralising an unconfirmed number and rescuing 16 victims.

Adewumi listed items recovered to include two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, three RPG high-explosive anti-personnel bombs, 33 motorcycles, assorted ammunition, and N4,105,000 in cash.

He disclosed that the military personnel, in an operation conducted on November 3, intercepted terrorists moving from Makuku Village in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State towards Tungan Kawo in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.

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He said the troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce firefight, forcing them to retreat into the forest with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

“A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of five motorcycles, a mobile phone, N644,300 and other sundry items,” the army spokesman stated.

Adewumi added that the 16 rescued victims have received first aid and have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for reunification with their families, while recovered items remain in military custody for further action.