By Zainab Bakare
Nigerian troops operating across various theatres of operation have rescued 388 kidnapped victims, arrested 31 suspected terrorists and collaborators, and neutralised 10 terrorists within the past week, according to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Tuesday during a briefing in Abuja on ongoing military operations nationwide.
According to him, troops recorded significant successes in the North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-East, and Niger Delta regions through a series of coordinated offensives, intelligence-led raids, and rescue missions.
In Zamfara State, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma intercepted a suspected arms dealer, Mustapha Abubakar, while transporting a cache of ammunition concealed in a sack of millet. Investigations led to the arrest of the intended recipient of the weapons in Shinkafi Local Government Area.
The military also arrested eight suspected terrorists during operations in Maru LGA and recovered motorcycles, communication gadgets, camouflage uniforms, and other items believed to be used by criminal groups.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents through clearance operations and raids on terrorist enclaves. The operations resulted in the rescue of hundreds of civilians, including women and children held captive by insurgents.
A major breakthrough occurred on June 6 when troops carried out a multi-pronged assault on terrorist hideouts in the Mandara Mountains, Gwoza LGA of Borno State. The operation led to the rescue of 360 abducted civilians who had been held since an attack on Ngoshe community in March.
General Onoja said 358 of the rescued victims were safely evacuated for medical treatment and care, while two infants tragically died due to the harsh conditions encountered during the rescue operation.
The military also recorded several arrests of terrorist informants and logistics suppliers across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, while recovering weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, and communication equipment.
In the North-Central region, troops arrested suspected terrorist informants and kidnappers in Niger and Plateau states. Several kidnapped victims were rescued during separate operations, while weapons, cash, and communication devices were recovered.
Operations in Benue, Kogi and Taraba states under Operation Whirl Stroke also yielded successes, including the rescue of kidnap victims, recovery of arms, and arrest of criminal suspects.
In the South-East, troops working alongside other security agencies arrested suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), during operations in Enugu and Abia states.
Security forces recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles, a General-Purpose Machine Gun, an RPG launcher tube, hand grenades, magazines and hundreds of rounds of ammunition from suspected hideouts.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Delta Safe intensified operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta. Several illegal bunkering sites were dismantled in Rivers, Delta, Edo and Akwa Ibom states, while stolen petroleum products and illegal refining equipment were recovered.
Major General Onoja said the military remains committed to sustaining offensive operations against terrorists, kidnappers, oil thieves and other criminal elements across the country.
He urged citizens to continue supporting security agencies with credible information to enhance ongoing efforts to restore peace and security nationwide.
