Nigerian Army Special Forces (SF)
Armed Forces of Nigeria on Friday announced that its troops killed scores of terrorists and rescued more than 400 kidnapped victims during intensified military operations across the country in February.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this during the monthly operational briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
According to him, coordinated land, air and maritime offensives across the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-South and South-East led to the arrest of suspects, disruption of criminal supply networks, and the recovery of arms, ammunition and stolen crude oil.
*North-East: Drones, gun trucks repelled*
Under Operation HADIN KAI, troops battling Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad neutralised scores of insurgents, arrested 85 suspects and facilitated the surrender of 46 fighters and their family members.
A total of 104 kidnapped victims were rescued in the theatre during the period under review.
Onoja said troops repelled a major assault in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, where terrorists attacked with gun trucks, motorcycles and five drones. Several insurgents were killed in the exchange, while weapons were recovered.
Troops also intercepted a Toyota pick-up conveying vehicle parts and fabrics allegedly meant for insurgents, as well as a truck loaded with 460 bags of fertiliser in Yobe State. In addition, 42 illegal miners were arrested in Gulani LGA as part of efforts to disrupt insurgents’ funding sources.
*North-West: 251 kidnap victims freed*
In the North-West, troops operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 251 kidnapped victims and arrested 36 suspects across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
Among those freed were 21 victims rescued in Musawa LGA of Katsina State on February 21, barely two days after they were abducted.
The military also reported fresh arms recoveries and noted that the donation of 25 Armoured Personnel Carriers by the Zamfara State Government had strengthened operational capacity in the zone.
*North-Central: Forest offensives, key arrests*
Under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, troops carried out sustained offensives in parts of Niger and Kwara states, including a February 18 encounter along the Kainji–Kwimo Road in Magama LGA of Niger State, where several terrorists were killed and arms recovered.
In Plateau State, troops under Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested 29 suspects and rescued 22 kidnapped victims during operations in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bassa LGAs.
Similarly, Operation WHIRL STROKE, covering Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa and parts of Kogi, recorded the arrest of 49 suspects and the rescue of 32 hostages.
A suspected key terrorist was arrested in Ibi LGA of Taraba State, with arms and N2.44 million recovered. Another logistics supplier was apprehended in Lokoja, Kogi State.
*South-South: Oil Theft Crackdown*
In the Niger Delta, troops under Operation DELTA SAFE arrested 59 suspects and dismantled 32 illegal refining sites.
The military said 144,050 litres of stolen crude oil and 31,601 litres of Automated Gas Oil were recovered during anti-oil theft operations.
Suspected gunrunners were also arrested in Cross River State, with locally fabricated pistols, ammunition and specialised tools recovered during a follow-up raid conducted in collaboration with the Department of State Services.
*South-East: 54 suspects arrested*
In the South-East, troops under Operation UDO KA targeted members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.
The military said 54 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements were arrested during the month, while several kidnapped victims were rescued.
Troops also raided a building identified as a logistics hub, where suspects reportedly opened fire. The attackers were repelled and forced to retreat into nearby rugged terrain.
*Military assures sustained operations*
The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, through the spokesman, thanked Nigerians for their continued intelligence support and urged citizens to remain vigilant as Ramadan and Lent begin.
He advised members of the public to report suspicious activities through the emergency line 193 and assured that military operations would be sustained in the weeks ahead.
