TROOPS of 1 Brigade Nigerian Army, deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Kaura Namoda, have arrested two suspected terrorists during a night fighting patrol conducted in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
News Point Nigeria reports that the operation, conducted in the early hours of Tuesday, further demonstrated the Brigade’s sustained efforts “to deny criminal elements freedom of action within its Area of Responsibility”.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Brigade Nigerian Army Gusau, Yusuf Mohammed, disclosed that the troops intercepted the suspects during the patrol.
According to the Army, at about 0150 hours on Monday, troops of 1 Brigade Combat Team 2, operating from FOB Kaura Namoda, encountered and apprehended two suspected terrorists during the patrol.
The suspects were identified as indigenes of Ilela Village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Items recovered from the suspects include one AK-47 rifle, one locally fabricated Dane gun, two rifle magazines, 55 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 18 cartridges for the Dane gun, one motorcycle, two Baofeng radio sets and one mobile phone.
Troops also recovered two MP3 players, one camouflage vest, two jungle hats, one handbag and the sum of N44,500 in cash.
Preliminary examination of the suspects’ mobile phone revealed photographs and video materials considered potentially incriminating and of intelligence value.
The contents are currently being subjected to further verification and exploitation by the appropriate authorities to establish their relevance and possible links to terrorist activities within the area.
The successful operation underscores the effectiveness of the Brigade’s aggressive fighting patrols, intelligence-led operations and sustained presence across vulnerable locations within its Area of Responsibility.
The interception of the suspects and recovery of weapons, ammunition, communication equipment and other military-related items represent another operational setback for criminal elements operating within the axis.
Acting Commander 1 Brigade Nigerian Army, Col J Umaru, commended the troops for their vigilance, courage and professionalism.
He charged personnel to sustain the tempo of offensive operations, remain resolute and continue to deny terrorists and other criminal elements the freedom to operate within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility.
The Acting Commander further reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to protecting lives and property while supporting the restoration of lasting peace and security across Zamfara State.