By Miriam Humbe
The Defence Headquarters has said that troops have rescued 34 abducted persons and neutralised 21 terrorists in sustained operations across the country between August 20 and 27.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
The DDMO said that troops also disrupted terrorist logistics, arms trafficking, kidnapping networks, secessionist activities and illegal oil bunkering during the period.
He said the 21 terrorists were neutralised during a clearance operation at Kopre Mountain in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa.
Major General Onoja said troops of Operation HADIN KAI also destroyed the terrorist camp and recovered six AK-47 rifles, 23 magazines and 586 rounds of ammunition.
He revealed that troops rescued eight abductees, comprising three women and five children, around Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno on August 22 and added that three minors who escaped from terrorist enclaves near Amuda Bridge in Gwoza were also rescued on the same day.
Major General Onoja said several suspected terrorist logistics suppliers, spies and fighters were arrested in Borno and Adamawa during the period.
He said multiple terrorists and their family members also surrendered to troops in Bama Local Government Area of Borno, citing sustained military pressure and internal clashes among rival factions.
In the North-West, he said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 21 abducted persons in separate operations across Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna.
He said: “The troops rescued six victims along the Dandume-Sheme Road in Katsina, six others at Gadan Manya in Anka, Zamfara, and three abducted children in Kachia, Kaduna”.
Major General Onoja said troops also rescued 14 victims at Magazu in Tsafe, Zamfara, and two female captives at Hayin Babangida in Igabi, Kaduna.
He said troops disrupted arms trafficking networks, arrested suspected gunrunners and apprehended a suspected terrorist kingpin, Mallam Sanusi Mai Glass, in Katsina.
In the North-Central, Onoja said troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued two kidnap victims in Kogi and disrupted arms trafficking networks in Benue, Kogi and Taraba.
He said troops also arrested suspected terrorists and gunrunners, including a suspect allegedly involved in supplying arms to rebel elements in Cameroon.
He said: “In Niger, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD repelled a terrorist attack at Dekara in Borgu Local Government Area and recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, six motorcycles and 49 mobile phones”.
The Defence Spokesman said the recovered items were expected to provide intelligence on terrorist networks operating in the area.
In the South-South, he said troops disrupted several illegal oil refining and crude oil theft operations in Rivers and Imo.
He said the operations included the disruption of crude oil storage infrastructure containing about 93,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Rivers.
“The troops also recovered about 103,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and intercepted two tanker trucks preparing to siphon crude oil,” he said.
In the South-East, Onoja said troops of Operation UDO KA raided suspected IPOB/ESN strongholds in Anambra, neutralising one terrorist.
He said the troops recovered pump-action guns, motorcycles and materials suspected to be used for fabricating Improvised Explosive Devices.
Major General Onoja said the operations demonstrated the sustained offensive posture of the Armed Forces and improved cooperation with other security agencies.
He quoted the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, as commending troops for their gallantry, discipline and commitment across all theatres.
Oluyede also appreciated public support for military personnel, including a recent gesture by Air Peace staff and passengers who accorded service personnel a spontaneous standing ovation.
The CDS urged Nigerians, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing useful information to security agencies to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
He also commended the media for professional and balanced reportage of military operations.
Oluyede assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain the current tempo of operations to protect lives, property and the territorial integrity of the country.
