RismadarVoice Reporters
August 14, 2026
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 18 Brigade have rescued nine kidnapped victims and foiled attempted terrorist attacks in Mariga and Rijau Local Government Areas of Niger State.
The Army, in a statement, said the victims were rescued on Wednesday, August 12, during sustained offensive operations by troops of the Nigerian Army Training Centre Administrative Battalion deployed at Kotonkoro in Mariga.
The rescued victims were handed over to Mariga Local Government authorities for documentation and subsequent reunification with their families.
In a separate operation in Warari, Rijau Local Government Area, troops reportedly cleared a terrorist ambush during a fighting patrol.
The troops recovered seven motorcycles, one camel, 47 cattle and 18 sheep, suspected to have been rustled from communities in the area.
Meanwhile, troops of the Brigade’s Quick Response Force, alongside personnel of the 311 Artillery Regiment and Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion X, also foiled an attempted terrorist attack on communities in Rijau Local Government Area.
The operation, conducted on Monday, August 10, followed credible intelligence about plans by terrorists to infiltrate Inana Village and nearby communities.
The Army said the terrorists, who were riding motorcycles, fled into the forest after sighting the troops, abandoning their motorcycles and other equipment.
Some of the fleeing terrorists were also believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.
The Brigade said the operations demonstrate its commitment to protecting lives and property and denying terrorists freedom of action across its area of responsibility.
