Troops Arrest Five Suspects, Recover Weapons After Gun Battle in Taraba; Eight Security Personnel Killed Repelling Borno Attack

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested five suspected criminals and recovered several items following a gun battle with armed men in Taraba State.

According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the 6 Brigade, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, troops swiftly responded to intelligence reports and mobilised to the scene of the incident.

Upon arrival, the soldiers reportedly came under attack from unidentified gunmen. The troops responded with superior firepower, forcing the assailants to abandon their positions and flee in different directions.

The military subsequently launched a pursuit operation, leading to the arrest of five suspects believed to be connected to the attack.

Items recovered during the operation included two motorcycles, daggers, machetes, assorted charms, quantities of gunpowder, and five mobile phones.

Commending the troops for their performance, the Commander of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Michael Akaliro, praised the personnel for their professionalism, bravery, and commitment to duty.

He reiterated the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, urging troops to remain vigilant and sustain aggressive operations aimed at eliminating criminal elements and denying them freedom of movement within the area.

Akaliro also reassured residents of Taraba State that the military remains committed to tracking down criminals wherever they may be hiding and maintaining pressure on all threats to peace and security until lasting stability is restored across the state.

Eight Security Personnel Killed in Borno Terrorist Attack

In a separate development, five soldiers and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) lost their lives while repelling a terrorist attack on a military base in Borno State.

The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna Sani, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the military, the attack targeted the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mandaragirau, which falls under the 25 Brigade of Sector 2 in the North-East counterinsurgency theatre.

The terrorists reportedly launched the assault at about 3:00 a.m., taking advantage of heavy rainfall and poor visibility in an attempt to infiltrate and overrun parts of the military facility.

Despite the challenging weather conditions, troops successfully resisted the attack and prevented the terrorists from breaching the base.

However, the fierce confrontation resulted in the deaths of five military personnel and three CJTF members who were involved in the defence of the facility.

Military authorities described the fallen personnel as heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation and reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining operations against terrorist groups across the North-East.

The latest incidents underscore the continued security challenges facing parts of the country, even as security forces intensify efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminal activity.