Nigerian troops have rescued seven kidnapped victims, neutralised two kidnappers and arrested several suspected terrorists and collaborators in coordinated operations across Borno, Yobe, Benue and Plateau states, an operational report obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday has shown.
In Borno, troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued two women and two minors who escaped from an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) enclave in the Agapalawa area of the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area. In a related development, a woman and her child, believed to be relatives of an ISWAP terrorist, surrendered to troops after fleeing the Gobara enclave in Sambisa Forest.
The troops did not stop at rescues, as they arrested four suspected ISWAP terrorists in Gwoza, Gujba and Kukawa council areas of Borno and Yobe states, while working with the Civilian Joint Task Force. One of the suspects reportedly confessed to spying on troops during clearance operations along the Baga–Cross Kauwa road and to supplying logistics to terrorists.
Troops also recorded successes on the offensive. They foiled an attempt by ISWAP fighters to infiltrate Kirawa in Gwoza, forcing the attackers to abandon a motorcycle, while a Nigerian Air Force aircraft separately neutralised another terrorist moving toward Marte. In Dikwa council area, troops discovered and safely detonated an improvised explosive device planted along the Maiduguri–Gamboru highway, averting a possible attack on commuters.
Beyond Borno and Yobe, the operations extended to Benue State, where troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE, supported by local hunters and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, rescued four kidnapped victims and neutralised two kidnappers during clearance operations in Katsina-Ala. The troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, a G3 rifle, a pistol, 221 rounds of assorted ammunition, magazines, military camouflage uniforms and a Point-of-Sale terminal from the kidnappers’ hideout. In follow-up raids on criminal enclaves in Otukpo council area, troops arrested five suspected militia members and recovered a Dane gun and ammunition.
Further south in Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE recovered a locally fabricated rifle and ammunition from a suspected terrorist hideout in the Agingi–Dogon Dutse mountainous area of Bassa council area.
The report also cited progress against economic crimes linked to insecurity. Troops intercepted 15 jerrycans of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit in Mubi North council area, while troops of Operation DELTA SAFE dismantled an illegal refining site and recovered equipment used for crude oil theft in Rivers State.