Soldiers Kill 2 Suspected Kidnappers In Abia

Soldiers attached to the 144 Battalion, Asa Ukwa West council area of Abia State have killed two kidnappers as their gang made to escape from a foiled kidnap operation at Umukanma village in Ugwunagbo council area.

The gang which specializes in kidnapping and armed robbery operates between Abia and Akwa Ibom States, is suspected of being behind the death of a respected elder in the community whom they accused of divulging information about their activities to the security agencies.

A source at the battalion stated that their investigations revealed that one of the leaders of the group, identified as Okechukwu broke out from his former gang and formed a new one with which he carried out kidnapping and armed robbery attacks in the area.

It was gathered that other members of the gang including one Amarachi, suspected to be the cook and informant to the gang have also been declared wanted.

Attempts to get the reaction of the Army Public Relations Officer, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Major Sidney Mbaneme, proved abortive.

However, a soldier at the 144 Battalion disclosed that efforts were on top gear to arrest the fleeing gangsters.

Troops Kill One Terrorist, Capture Three Others In Gwashari Village, Borno

Troops of 254 Task Force Battalion, 25 Task Force Brigade in conjunction with vigilantes have conducted clearance operation of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists at Gwashari village along Damboa-Bale road.

During the patrol, the troops encountered some elements of the Boko Haram terrorists in which they killed one and captured 3 others. They also recovered 1 Dane gun, an magazine of AK-47 rifle, 2 knives, assorted drugs and the sum of N142,000 from the terrorists.

Army To Establish Motorcycle Battalion To Combat Terrorism

The Nigerian Army is considering setting up of a special force that will use motorcycles to check the activities of terrorists. The new battalion, when established will complement efforts of the ground troops.

It has been learnt that the Motorcycle Battalion will be a special unit out of the initiative of the army chief, Major General Tukur Buratai, in his efforts to wipe out Boko Haram within the shortest possible time.

Reports say that the new military high command brought up the idea as it had become evident that troops were finding it difficult to penetrate terrorists’ hideouts using military vehicles, especially in the dreaded Sambisa Forest.

Reports point that it is difficult pursuing the terrorists in some parts of the North East as a result of the topography being a muddy area and this hinders the movement of the troops.

The troops in this contemplated motorcycle unit would be selected for training in the use of customized bikes and they will now be playing complementary roles to the ground troops.

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