Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma intercepted five freed kidnap victims who revealed heavy losses suffered by terrorists during recent military operations in Kaduna State.

An operational report made available on Friday said the victims were intercepted by troops of 1 Division, Sub-Sector 5, at Forward Operating Base Kajuru on Thursday.

The report said the victims told troops they were released after sustained military pressure weakened their captors operating from the Rijana forest.

“According to the victims, a 34-man terrorist group lost 12 fighters, including its leader, identified as Doro, during an ambush by troops at Gwantu village on July 8.

“They also disclosed that three other terrorist groups, each comprising between 25 and 40 fighters and led by commanders identified as Mato and Hassan, were still operating within the Rijana forest.

“In a separate operation, troops of 1 Brigade, Forward Operating Base Anka, responded to information that terrorists abducted about seven passengers from a vehicle along the Anka-Gummi road in Zamfara,” it said.

The report said troops immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation, but made no contact with the fleeing terrorists. 

(NAN)