In a decisive military operation, Nigerian troops have apprehended over 35 terrorists, rescued more than 20 victims, and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition, marking a significant breakthrough in the fight against insurgency.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this during the weekly briefing of the ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria across the country in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
General Kangye said that the Joint Task Force North East OPERATION HADIN KAI (OPHK) recovered some weapons and dismantled terrorists’ networks in North East, Nigeria.
He noted that the efforts of the troops paved the way for the safe resettlement of displaced persons and unimpeded farming activities.
According to him, troops conducted both kinetic and non-kinetic operations against terrorists in Konduga, Magumeri, Gubio, Nganzai, Monguno, Kaga and Mobbar LGAs of Borno State. Similar operations were conducted in Mubi South and Yunusari LGAs of Adamawa and Yobe States.
During the encounters, scores of the terrorists were killed in action.
Also, “16 of their collaborators, informants, sympathisers and spies were arrested, while 7 kidnapped victims were rescued”, he said.
“Some quantities of arms and ammunition, vehicles, PMS and the sum of N5,140,000.00 were also recovered, while their camps were destroyed. Recovered weapons are in troops’ custody,” he added.
In the same vein, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, OPFY sustained operational tempo throughout the week with significant outcomes in the northwest region of the country.
General Kangye said that during firefights, some terrorists were killed in action and kidnapped victims rescued.
According to him, also, several terrorists were killed in action, 14 of them were arrested, while 6 kidnapped victims were rescued.
Weapons, vehicles, livestock and other household items were recovered from them.
Similarly, troops of OPERATION ENDURING PEACE in North Central responded to distress calls about terrorists’ activities in some sectors.
According to him, for instance, troops conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Riyom, Jos South, Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Mangu and Jos East LGAs of Plateau State, as well as Jemaá and Zangon Kataf LGAs of Kaduna State.
“During the firefights, some extremists were killed in action, while 11 of them were arrested. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, and vehicles were recovered from them”, he said.
In another development, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded some successes in their Area of Responsibility during the week in the North Central region of the country.
According to him, troops conducted operations in Ibbi, Takum, Bali and Wukari LGAs of Taraba State, as well as Logo, Gwer West and Ukum LGAs of Benue State.
They also conducted operations in Awe and Bassa LGAs of Nasarawa and Kogi States. Similar operations were conducted in the Bwari Area Council of the FCT.
“During the operations, troops killed some criminals in action, arrested 12 suspected others, while 17 kidnapped victims were rescued. Some arms and ammunition, vehicles and livestock were recovered from them”, he said.
In Operation DELTA SAFE theatre, troops foiled oil theft worth over Ninety Eight Million Seven Hundred and Five Thousand Four Hundred and Ninety Five Naira (N98, 705, 495.00) only in South-South, Nigeria.
The breakdown indicates: 92,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,575 litres of AGO, 660 litres of DPK and 5,000 litres of PMS. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 11 crude oil cooking ovens, 7 dugout pits, 9 boats, 14 storage tanks and 7 illegal refining sites.
Furthermore, 13 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered.
Relatedly, troops conducted offensive operations in Ethiope East, Ughelli South, Ndokwa, Okpe and Warri LGAs of Delta State.
They also conducted similar operations in Ahoada East and Toru LGAs of Rivers State.
During the operations, 9 criminals were arrested. Some weapons and ammunition, as well as a vehicle, were recovered from them.
General Kangye also noted that troops of Operation UDO KA sustained an offensive posture throughout the week under review in South East, Nigeria.
According to him, troops conducted offensive operations and arrested a suspected IPOB/ESN terrorist commander identified as Gentle, who was on the troops’ wanted list alongside 8 other criminals in Owerri West and Mbaitoli LGAs of Imo State, as well as Izzi and Ohaukwu LGAs of Ebonyi State. Weapons, ammunition and vehicles were recovered from them.
Additionally, a female IPOB/ESN collaborator who was also believed to be one of their logistics suppliers was arrested in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State.
During the arrest, 3 children whose investigation revealed were biological children to a wanted IPOB/ESN leader identified as Maduabuchi Nwankwo, otherwise known as Emergency, were found in her custody. It was further revealed that the terrorist leader is also her relation.
And the Military High Command commended the gallant officers and men of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for their unwavering dedication and courage in the face of evolving security challenges.
Meanwhile, a minute of silence was observed for officers who lost their lives in defending their fatherland.