Troops Rescue Nine Kidnap Victims, Foil Terrorist Attack, Recover Weapons, Rustled Livestock in Niger
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 18 Brigade have intensified offensive operations against terrorists and other criminal elements in Niger State, recording significant successes across Mariga and Rijau Local Government Areas (LGAs).
In one of the latest operations, troops of the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) Admin Battalion, deployed at Kotonkoro, rescued nine kidnapped victims on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, during a sustained clearance operation against terrorist elements in Mariga LGA.
The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to representatives of the Mariga Local Government authorities for documentation and onward reunification with their families.
In a separate operation the same day, troops conducting a fighting patrol in the Warari general area of Rijau LGA encountered and successfully cleared a terrorist ambush.
During the exploitation of the area, the troops recovered seven motorcycles, one camel, 47 cattle and 18 sheep, believed to have been rustled from local communities. The recovered livestock were handed over to the appropriate authorities.
The Brigade also recorded another major success on Monday, August 10, when troops of the Quick Response Force, in collaboration with personnel of 311 Artillery Regiment (AR) and Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion X (CSIB X), foiled an attempted terrorist attack and infiltration of communities around Inana Village, Majal and Tunga Bisallah in Rijau LGA.
Acting on credible intelligence and maintaining a strong operational presence in the area, the troops intercepted the terrorists as they attempted to infiltrate the communities.
The terrorists, who were reportedly riding motorcycles, fled towards a nearby forest after sighting the troops. The soldiers engaged them, forcing the attackers to abandon their equipment and motorcycles. Some of the fleeing terrorists were also believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.
During a subsequent search of the area, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one empty magazine and ammunition of various calibres. Seven motorcycles were also recovered, with one retained as an exhibit while six others were destroyed on the spot.
The Commander, 18 Brigade, commended the troops for their courage, resilience and professionalism, urging them to sustain the momentum of offensive operations and intensify efforts to degrade and dismantle terrorist and criminal networks operating across the state.
He further charged the troops to continue leveraging credible information provided by local communities to disrupt criminal activities, deny terrorists freedom of movement and protect vulnerable communities.
According to the Brigade Commander, the latest successes demonstrate the commitment of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, NAM, to dominating the battlespace, intensifying offensive operations and decisively confronting terrorism and other criminal activities across the country.
He urged the troops to remain vigilant and relentlessly pursue criminal elements within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility, with the ultimate objective of safeguarding lives, property and communities.
Troops Rescue Nine Kidnap Victims, Foil Terrorist Attack, Recover Weapons, Rustled Livestock in Niger