Nigerian Army troops have rescued 46 kidnapped victims and neutralised a suspected militia member in separate operations conducted across the country within the last 24 hours.

An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday said the troops also recovered firearms, disrupted terrorist activities and rescued additional victims during the operations.

In Zamfara State, troops of Combat Team 7 responded to terrorist activities around Fegen Baza and the Setraco Company area in Tsafe Local Government Area.

The troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to abandon 41 civilians and withdraw towards adjoining farmlands.

Preliminary investigations indicated that one of the vehicles attacked was reportedly travelling from Senegal to Kano State.

In Kebbi, troops of 223 Battalion operating from Forward Operating Base Bena acted on intelligence about terrorists moving with kidnapped victims around Sawade village in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.

The troops engaged the terrorists, who fled towards Dan Lai Forest, abandoning two victims who were subsequently rescued and handed over to the District Head of Bena.

Similarly, troops of 45 Battalion, supported by vigilantes, engaged terrorists during a fighting patrol around Alabani village in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, forcing them to abandon kidnapped victims.

One vigilante reportedly sustained a gunshot injury but was said to be in stable condition. In Anambra, troops of 185 Battalion, working with the Department of State Services and vigilantes, rescued three civilians kidnapped at Osaukwa Bridge in Ihiala Local Government Area.

The Army also reported offensive operations against a suspected IPOB/ESN camp at Ugbene in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra.

The operation involved troops of Operation UDO KA, 197 Special Forces Battalion, Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service and DSS, with close air support.

The troops reportedly engaged the suspected terrorists after drone surveillance detected improvised explosive devices along the route to the camp, although casualties among the suspects could not be confirmed because of the thick vegetation.

In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace engaged suspected militias at Rugan Jallo following an earlier attack on three women along Rakung Road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

One suspected militia member was reportedly neutralised, while two motorcycles were recovered.

Meanwhile, troops of 114 Battalion, working with a Defence Intelligence Agency composite team, raided an illegal arms store at Abbare in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The operation reportedly led to the recovery of a K2 rifle, K2 magazine, submachine gun, magazine, 10 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and six rounds of 9mm ammunition.

In Delta State, troops of 63 Brigade Garrison arrested a suspected criminal allegedly carrying a firearm along the Issele-Asaba Road in Aniocha North Local Government Area.

The suspect and the recovered firearm were handed over to the 63 Provost Company for further investigation.

The Army also disclosed that 12 and 28 Infantry Battalions were operationalised at Bakura and Anka Local Government Areas of Zamfara State on September 28.

The Acting Commander, 1 Brigade, representing the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, charged the troops to remain committed to tackling insecurity within their areas of responsibility.