Captain Ibrahim Yahaya, spokesperson of OPHD, in a statement issued said this happened in recent dry season clearance operations commanded by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Godwin Mutkut.
“Notably, on the 3rd January 2024, the combined troops of the OPHD conducted an offensive operation in identified terrorists’ enclaves at Batsari and Safana Local Government Areas of Katsina State, neutralised 10 of the terrorists while others fled with gunshot wounds,” the statement read.
“The troops also recovered 1 AK-47 rifle, ammunition, 7 Dane guns, 3 locally fabricated guns, and other dangerous weapons as well as communication gadgets, mobile phones and military uniforms while 4 motorcycles recovered were destroyed instantly.
“Similarly, on the same day, troops of Operation Haderin Daji, operating in Zamfara State, conducted a search and rescue operation at Dansadau and Dandalla villages in Maru Local Government Area of the State.
“During the operation, 9 kidnapped victims were rescued which includes 5 women and 4 babies. The victims were abandoned by the terrorists who fled after a gun duel with the resilient troops.
“The rescued victims were immediately reunited with their families at Magami.”
Maj.-Gen. Godwin Mutkut, the Commander of OPHD, reportedly commended the troops and also enjoined them to remain relentless in their efforts to rid the area of acts of terrorism.
