Nigerian Army troops
Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces neutralised dozens of terrorists, arrested 86 suspects, and rescued 26 kidnapped victims in various operations conducted across the country within the past week.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, made this known during a media briefing on military activities held on Friday in Abuja.
Kangye explained that the operations were carried out in collaboration with other security agencies to bolster national security, sustain peace, and protect Nigeria’s strategic assets.
He said the troops also recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition, destroyed terrorists’ hideouts, and dismantled several illegal refining sites to restrict the activities of criminal elements nationwide.
According to him, the coordinated operations took place across all major theatres — the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-South, and South-East regions.
*North-East Operations*
Kangye said troops under Operation HADIN KAI sustained intense offensives against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS elements in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States.
He revealed that several terrorists were eliminated, while 13 logistics suppliers, informants, and collaborators were arrested, and three kidnapped victims rescued.
Recovered items included firearms, ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, petroleum products, and other logistics materials.
*North-West Operations*
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA continued their onslaught on bandits and insurgents across Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna States.
“Several terrorists were neutralised, 11 suspects were arrested, and 14 kidnapped victims were rescued,” Kangye said.
*North-Central Operations*
He further reported that troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE responded to distress calls and launched targeted raids in Plateau, Kaduna, and Bauchi States, where they neutralised several extremists, arrested 24 suspects, and freed three hostages.
Kangye added that in a special operation on October 19, troops raided the home of a wanted extremist leader, Alhaji Muhammed Sule (alias MP), in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, where they recovered two AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, a revolver pistol, six magazines, and 1,202 rounds of live ammunition.
Similarly, in the Operation WHIRL STROKE theatre covering Taraba, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi States, and the Federal Capital Territory, troops neutralised several criminals, apprehended 16 suspects, and rescued three kidnapped persons.
*South-South Operations*
Kangye disclosed that troops of Operation DELTA SAFE foiled attempts to steal crude oil valued at approximately ₦13.4 million during the week.
He said troops recovered 12,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 840 litres of diesel, and 1,350 litres of kerosene.
They also destroyed six illegal cooking ovens, four dugout pits, 12 boats, five storage tanks, and two illegal refining sites, while 10 suspects were taken into custody.
*South-East Operations*
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA maintained pressure on insurgent elements linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Kangye said 12 members of the group were arrested, and three kidnapped victims rescued in operations across Imo, Abia, Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi States.
Reaffirming the military’s commitment to national security, Kangye commended the troops for their gallantry and professionalism.
> “The successes recorded across all theatres reflect the courage and dedication of our gallant troops who continue to defend our nation with honour,” he said.
He urged citizens to continue supporting the armed forces by sharing timely and credible intelligence that could assist ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-crime operations.
(NAN)
