Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 26 suspected victims of human trafficking in Benue.

The troops also freed a kidnapped woman in Kogi and arrested a suspected terrorist leader in Kaduna in separate security operations.

This is contained in an operational report made available to journalists in Abuja on Sunday.

The report revealed that the operations also led to the recovery of firearms and ammunition and the arrest of suspected criminals across several states.

According to the report, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, working with the police and local vigilantes, raided a suspected human trafficking syndicate in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue on Friday.

It said the troops arrested one suspect and rescued 26 victims, who were handed over to the police alongside the suspect for further investigation.

The report also said that in Kaduna, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma arrested a suspected terrorist leader, Yusuf Iliya San, at Maraban Kakini on Saturday.

It added that the suspect was allegedly linked to several criminal activities in the Birnin Gwari area and remained in military custody for further action.

The report added that in a separate incident, troops repelled an attack by suspected terrorists along the Dogon Dawa-Takama axis in Birnin Gwari on Saturday.

According to the report, the attackers fled after troops engaged them. They abandoned an AK-47 rifle, 15 rounds of ammunition, two motorcycles and a mobile phone.

“One soldier was however wounded and evacuated for medical attention.”

The report further said that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, working with forest guards, rescued a kidnapped woman at Ette in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi on Friday.

It said the kidnappers fled on sighting the troops, allowing the victim to be reunited with her family.

The report also said that troops recovered an AK-47 rifle magazine, 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and other items during an operation along the Okene-Okpella road in Kogi.

“In Abia, troops working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested three suspected drug dealers during a raid at Obehie, Ukwa West Local Government Area, on Friday.

“The suspects and recovered illicit substances were handed over to the agency for further action.

“Meanwhile, troops of Operation Enduring Peace reported that a vigilante member was killed by suspected kidnappers in Magi Mbar village, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau, on Friday.

“The assailants fled on sighting the troops, while efforts to apprehend them continue.

“The operations form part of ongoing military efforts to combat terrorism, kidnapping, human trafficking and other criminal activities across the country,” the report concluded.

 (NAN)