By Kazeem Waris
Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces have intensified operations against terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups across the country, neutralizing 15 terrorists, rescuing 43 kidnapped victims and arresting 18 suspects in the past week.
The military also said 30 persons, including suspected terrorists and their families, surrendered to troops, citing hunger, hardship and sustained pressure from security forces within terrorist enclaves.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, who disclosed this on Saturday, said the operations were conducted across the North-East, North-West, North-Central and South-East geopolitical zones.
He said the development reflected the impact of sustained military pressure on terrorist and criminal networks.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai recorded several successes in Borno and Yobe states, including the neutralisation of two terrorists and recovery of weapons, ammunition and an IED initiator.
Onoja said troops also intercepted an escapee who fled terrorist captivity due to hunger and hardship, while another suspect was arrested for allegedly conveying foodstuffs to a terrorist enclave.
He said several terrorist fighters surrendered between September 1 and 2, while suspected logistics suppliers, informants and spies were arrested following intensified operations.
On September 2, 21 women and children surrendered to troops at Mafa in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State, reportedly citing clashes between rival terrorist factions within the Yaganari enclave.
Another escapee was intercepted near Amuda Bridge in Gwoza Local Government Area, while troops later arrested a suspected terrorist spy along the Kauwa–Kukawa Road.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma sustained offensives across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states, targeting terrorist hideouts and logistics networks.
Onoja said troops raided suspected terrorist hideouts in Kogo Village, Katsina State, neutralising two suspected terrorist kingpins, while another escaped with gunshot wounds.
In Kaduna, troops intercepted a vehicle carrying 793 rounds of ammunition concealed in a sack of grain. The fleeing suspect was neutralised during the encounter.
Troops also ambushed terrorists along the Shinkafi–Zurmi axis of Zamfara State, recovering a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, rifle and ammunition.
The operations also yielded major gains in the rescue of kidnapped victims.
Six abducted victims were rescued in Kebbi State, while 23 civilians comprising three men and 20 women were rescued on the outskirts of Wuya Town in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The victims, according to the military, had spent about three weeks in captivity and were evacuated for medical attention.
Two other abducted persons were rescued along the Dandume–Birnin Gwari Road in Katsina State.
In the North-Central, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralised one suspected terrorist during an encounter in Benue State and recovered a pistol, rifle magazine, ammunition and charms.
Troops also forced kidnappers who abducted two women in Kogi State to abandon their victims unharmed.
In Taraba State, five suspected gang members were arrested during a clearance operation targeting the hideout of a wanted gang leader.
Similarly, troops of Operation Savannah Shield rescued five male kidnap victims from farms along the Kotonkoro-Bangi Road in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
In the South-East, troops of Operation Udoka arrested suspects in Anambra and Enugu states over alleged links to secessionist activities.
Two suspects were arrested in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State for allegedly providing medical treatment to secessionist elements in their camps, while another suspect was arrested at Iva-Valley Coal Mine in Enugu State over alleged involvement in attacks on security agencies.
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their continued operations across the country.
“The CDS commends the unrelenting resolve of troops across all theatres of operation in neutralising terrorists, rescuing abducted citizens, receiving surrendered terrorist fighters and their families, and dismantling criminal and secessionist networks,” he said.
He also called for stronger cooperation between the military, other security agencies, traditional rulers and communities, urging Nigerians to provide credible information that could assist ongoing operations.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria, he said, remained committed to sustaining the tempo of operations until peace and security were restored across the country.
