RismadarVoice Reporters
November 10, 2026
The Nigerian Army says troops of its 18 Brigade have rescued 21 kidnapped victims following a gun battle with suspected terrorists in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
The operation reportedly took place on Monday, November 9, in Abaha and Sabon Wuri communities, where security personnel were deployed following intelligence reports about the activities of armed groups.
The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 18 Brigade, Captain Adebayo Samuel Adewumi, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to the statement, troops received credible intelligence indicating the presence and movement of suspected terrorists in the affected communities.
Acting on the information, the military deployed a fighting patrol to intercept the armed group and secure the area.
The Army said the troops encountered the suspected terrorists and engaged them in an exchange of gunfire.
It was reported that the soldiers overpowered the attackers, forcing them to retreat into nearby bushes with suspected gunshot wounds.
Following the confrontation, the troops reportedly rescued 21 kidnapped persons who had been held by the armed group.
The military stated that all the rescued victims were unharmed during the operation.
They were subsequently given first aid treatment and subjected to preliminary identification and documentation procedures before being handed over to the appropriate authorities for reunification with their families.
The Army did not disclose the identities of the rescued victims or the circumstances surrounding their initial abduction.
It also did not specify the number of suspected terrorists involved in the encounter or confirm whether any arrests were made.
According to the statement, troops have intensified patrols and ambush operations across the affected communities to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks.
The Brigade urged residents of Mariga and neighbouring local government areas to report suspicious movements and individuals with suspected gunshot wounds to security agencies.
The Commander of 18 Brigade commended the soldiers for their courage, resilience and professionalism during the operation.
He also directed personnel to sustain offensive operations against armed groups threatening communities within the Brigade’s area of responsibility.
The reported rescue comes days after the Brigade announced the recovery of weapons and the rescue of 16 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Niger State.
The military maintained that continued intelligence gathering, community cooperation and sustained security operations remained essential to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.
