Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, (DHQ), has announced that military operations conducted across various parts of the country over the past week led to the rescue of 398 kidnapped victims, the arrest of 31 terror suspects and collaborators, and the elimination of 10 terrorists.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the achievements during a briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, highlighting ongoing efforts by the Armed Forces to combat terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities nationwide.
According to him, troops deployed under different military operations recorded significant successes in the North-West, North-East, North-Central, Niger Delta and South-East regions.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma intensified operations against armed groups in Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara states.
Security forces intercepted suspected arms traffickers, recovered large quantities of ammunition, arrested several suspects and destroyed facilities linked to terrorist activities.
The military also reported multiple engagements with bandits in Zamfara State, leading to the neutralisation of terrorists and the recovery of motorcycles, communication devices, military-style uniforms and other logistics used by criminal groups.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters through coordinated raids and clearance missions in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
One of the most notable operations took place in the Mandara Mountains area of Borno State, where troops rescued hundreds of civilians who had been held captive since an attack on Ngoshe community earlier in the year. Most of those rescued were women and children.
Military authorities disclosed that while the operation was largely successful, two infants died due to the harsh conditions encountered during the evacuation process. The remaining survivors were transported to medical facilities for treatment before being reunited with their communities.
The military also arrested several terror informants and logistics suppliers allegedly supporting insurgent groups in the region. Various items, including communication equipment, drugs, food supplies and cash, were recovered during the operations.
In the North-Central zone, troops operating in Niger, Plateau, Benue, Kogi and Taraba states carried out a series of intelligence-led missions targeting kidnappers, armed gangs and terrorist collaborators.
Security personnel rescued abducted travellers in Plateau and Kogi states, arrested suspected informants and recovered firearms, ammunition, communication devices and cash suspected to be linked to criminal activities.
Troops also disrupted attempts by kidnappers to move victims across parts of Kogi State, successfully securing the release of captives and reuniting them with their families.
Meanwhile, operations in the Niger Delta focused on combating crude oil theft, illegal refining and related crimes. Troops uncovered illegal bunkering sites in Rivers and Delta states, confiscated stolen petroleum products and dismantled equipment used for illicit oil activities.
In Akwa Ibom and Edo states, security forces intercepted suspected criminals involved in illegal petroleum transactions and kidnapping operations, leading to several arrests and seizures.
In the South-East, troops working alongside other security agencies conducted raids on suspected criminal hideouts linked to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The operations resulted in the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, explosives-related equipment and military-style uniforms. Security operatives also uncovered and dismantled locations allegedly used for storing weapons and coordinating criminal activities.
Major General Onoja stated that intelligence obtained from recent arrests has continued to aid military operations and weaken the capabilities of criminal groups across the region.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to sustaining pressure on terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements, while assuring Nigerians that efforts to enhance security and protect lives and property would continue across all operational theatres.
DHQ
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