The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops conducting operations across Nigeria rescued 59 kidnapped victims and neutralised 11 terrorists between August 14 and 20.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday detailing the military’s operations during the period.
Onoja said troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued eight kidnapped victims in the North-East, including three from Gwamnare Forest in Bauchi State and a 63-year-old Cameroonian national abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis.
He said the troops also neutralised three terrorists, recovered weapons and other military equipment, while 47 family members of terrorists and six fighters surrendered to the troops in Borno State.
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 28 abducted persons across Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states between August 17 and 19.
The troops also neutralised four terrorists, arrested an explosives courier and other suspected collaborators, and recovered weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and cash.
Onoja said six suspected informants linked to the abduction of an immigration officer’s family, as well as staff and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, were also arrested.
In the North-Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE compelled kidnappers to release 13 victims in Kogi State, comprising two men, five women and six children.
The troops also neutralised two suspected criminals, arrested an arms courier and recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and other weapons during separate operations in Taraba and Benue states.
Similarly, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE recovered firearms, fabricated rifles, Dane guns and ammunition during a raid on suspected criminals in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
In Kwara State, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD neutralised one terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle, while seven kidnap victims were rescued during a night patrol in Patigi Local Government Area.
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE arrested suspected kidnappers and an arms trafficker, recovering seven locally made pistols, ammunition and a camouflage vest.
The troops also disrupted three illegal refining sites in Rivers State and recovered about 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA dismantled suspected secessionist camps, recovered weapons and cleared multiple improvised explosive devices across Imo, Anambra and Abia states.
Onoja said the troops also dismantled an illegal bunkering site in Abia, arrested suspects and recovered suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil, motorcycles and a vehicle.
He added that troops conducting clearance operations towards Mother Valley in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State cleared 11 improvised explosive devices on August 20.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy commissioned a solar-powered water project for residents of Ward F2 in Surulere, Lagos, as part of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s civil-military cooperation initiatives.
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for their sustained successes in rescuing abducted citizens, neutralising terrorists and degrading criminal networks.
Oluyede also commended the collaboration among the military, other security agencies and local security groups, urging Nigerians and community leaders to continue providing useful information to the troops.
The Chief of Defence Staff further appreciated the media for its professionalism and balanced reporting of military operations, assuring Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain operations until peace and security were restored across the country.
