Troops of the One-Division Nigerian Army and Operation Whirl Punch have killed six terrorists and arrested three others during a special operation in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this on Thursday, though he did not specify the exact operation date.

Aruwan told newsmen in Kaduna that the troops conducted a special fighting patrol to the Galadimawa general area in Giwa LG in response to credible intelligence regarding terrorist activities. The operation began with the troops setting up an initial position at Sabon Sara village, where they discovered that insurgents had abandoned a herd of rustled cattle as they fled. The troops recovered the cattle and handed them to the locals before continuing their mission.

The commissioner explained that the troops encountered the insurgents at the Market Square of Galadimawa, resulting in a swift exchange of fire that left six insurgents dead. A subsequent search of the market area led to the arrest of three suspected collaborators and informants, who were believed to be providing logistic support to the terrorists. Additionally, the troops recovered two motorcycles and four mobile phones.

Governor Uba Sani received the report excitedly and praised the troops’ gallantry under the command of Major-General MLD Saraso, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Whirl Punch. The governor urged the security forces to continue their thorough investigation to dismantle more criminal networks.

“Special operations will continue in the general area and other locations of interest. In the meantime, the Government of Kaduna State hereby appeals to locals in frontline communities to continue to volunteer timely intelligence to the nearest security formations or to the 24-hour security operations room,” the governor added.