Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 18 Brigade have rescued nine kidnapped victims and foiled multiple terrorist operations in Mariga and Rijau Local Government Areas of Niger State.
The operations, conducted as part of intensified offensive operations across the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility, also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, motorcycles and livestock suspected to have been rustled from local communities.
In Mariga LGA, troops of the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) Admin Battalion deployed at Kotonkoro rescued nine kidnapped victims on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, during sustained operations against terrorist elements.
The 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 suspected to have been rustled from communities in the area.
The recovered livestock were handed over to the appropriate authorities.
Meanwhile, 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 (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 presence in the area, the troops intercepted the terrorists as they attempted to infiltrate the communities.
The terrorists, who were riding motorcycles, fled towards a nearby forest after sighting the troops. The soldiers engaged them, forcing the attackers to abandon their equipment and motorcycles, while some of the fleeing terrorists were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.
During a subsequent search of the area, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine and ammunition of various calibres.
One motorcycle was also recovered, 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 operational tempo and intensify efforts to degrade terrorist and criminal networks operating in Niger State.
He also directed the troops to remain vigilant and continue leveraging credible information from local communities to disrupt criminal activities and deny terrorists freedom of movement.
According to him, the successes recorded by the Brigade reflect the commitment of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, to dominating the battlespace, intensifying offensive operations and degrading terrorism and other criminal activities across the country.
The Brigade Commander further charged troops to pursue criminal elements within their area of responsibility to protect vulnerable communities and safeguard lives and property.
The latest operations underscore the Army’s sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist activities, rescue victims of abduction and restore security across vulnerable communities in Niger State.
