Troops Rescue Nine Kidnap Victims, Foil Terrorist Attacks in Niger

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 18 Brigade have rescued nine kidnapped victims and foiled attempted terrorist attacks in parts of Mariga and Rijau Local Government Areas of Niger State.

The operations, conducted as part of sustained offensive operations within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility, also led to the recovery of firearms, motorcycles and suspected rustled livestock.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 18 Brigade, Bida, Captain Adebayo Samuel Adewumi, the nine kidnapped victims were rescued on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, by troops of the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) Admin Battalion deployed at Kotonkoro.

The victims were rescued during offensive operations against terrorist elements in Mariga Local Government Area and subsequently handed over to representatives of the Mariga Local Government authorities for documentation and reunification with their families.

On 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 suspected to have been rustled from surrounding communities. The recovered livestock were handed over to the appropriate authorities.

In a separate operation on Monday, August 10, troops of the Brigade’s Quick Response Force, working alongside personnel of the 311 Artillery Regiment and Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion X, foiled an attempted terrorist attack and infiltration of communities around Inana Village, Majal and Tunga Bisallah in Rijau LGA.

Acting on credible intelligence, the troops intercepted the terrorists as they attempted to infiltrate the communities. The attackers, who were riding motorcycles, fled towards a nearby forest after sighting the troops.

The troops engaged the fleeing terrorists, forcing them to abandon their equipment and motorcycles. Some of the terrorists were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.

A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine and ammunition of different calibres. One motorcycle was also recovered, while six others were destroyed at the scene.

The Commander of 18 Brigade commended the troops for their courage, resilience and professionalism, urging them to sustain the operational tempo and intensify efforts to dismantle terrorist and criminal networks operating in the state.

He also tasked the troops to continue leveraging credible information from local communities to disrupt criminal activities and deny terrorists freedom of action.

The Brigade Commander said the successes recorded were in line with the commitment of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, to dominate the battlespace, intensify offensive operations and degrade terrorism and other criminal activities across the country.

He further urged the troops to pursue criminal elements within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility and safeguard vulnerable communities, lives and property.