Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have rescued more than 60 kidnapped victims and arrested 44 suspects in a week-long series of operations targeting terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking, oil theft and other security threats across the country.
The Defence Headquarters disclosed this on Saturday, saying the operations were conducted between September 18 and 24 across several states.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, said a Nigerian Air Force jet disrupted the movement of terrorists transporting a large number of kidnapped victims around Bazama in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
According to him, the air operation forced the terrorists to abandon the captives, enabling more than 60 victims to escape.
Ground troops also rescued several other victims in separate operations across Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
Among those rescued were 17 victims along the Isa-Kwanar Isa axis in Sokoto and seven university students along the Daye-Malumfashi road in Katsina.
“Troops also rescued five victims, including the Executive Chairman of the Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara, from terrorist captivity at Sekpore village in Kaura Namoda,” Onoja said.
Terrorist families intercepted, fighters surrender
In the Northeast, troops intercepted 44 members of terrorist families in Konduga, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State. The group comprised 13 women and 31 children who had reportedly fled terrorist camps amid clashes between rival factions.
Onoja also disclosed that more than 20 terrorist fighters and their family members surrendered to troops in Gwoza, Dikwa and Ngala Local Government Areas of Borno.
He said the individuals cited hardship and shortages of basic necessities in terrorist enclaves on the Mandara Mountains as reasons for leaving the groups.
Troops also arrested suspected terrorist informants, collaborators and logistics suppliers during the period under review.
In Yobe, troops arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator and a spy at Geidam market, while another suspected kidnapper was apprehended at Gubio in Borno.
The suspect later led troops to Ardimini village, where they recovered an AK-47 rifle and a magazine containing 12 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
In the Northwest, troops arrested four suspected members of a terrorist group while allegedly transporting rustled cattle near Illela in Sokoto State.
Three other suspects were arrested in Faskari, Katsina State, while allegedly conveying N2.7 million intended for a suspected terrorist kingpin.
In Kaduna State, troops engaged terrorists around the Abuja-Kaduna rail line and recovered a rifle and ammunition. Another suspect was arrested in Awon community with a locally fabricated pistol and seven rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Operations extend to North-Central
In the North-Central, troops operating under Operation Whirl Stroke arrested several suspects linked to kidnapping and arms trafficking across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
Two suspected kidnappers were arrested along the Otukpo-Makurdi road in Benue, with troops recovering a rifle and ammunition.
Onoja said troops also arrested a suspected gunrunner at Kwande, Benue, who had previously been convicted for the same offence.
In Bauchi, troops and Forest Guards ambushed suspected kidnappers at Kudu Yamma in Ningi Local Government Area, neutralising three while others fled with suspected gunshot wounds.
The operation also led to the recovery of a rifle and ammunition and the rescue of six kidnap victims.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace arrested 11 suspects during raids on suspected kidnapping syndicate hideouts in Shere, Gwafan and Maza Hills.
Four of the suspects were reportedly identified by victims as members of the syndicate allegedly responsible for their abductions.
Military intensifies fight against oil theft, separatist violence
In the South-South, troops of Operation Delta Safe discovered about 182,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at Bethel Creeks in Rivers State.
The troops also uncovered eight dugout pits, five containing suspected stolen crude oil, alongside hoses allegedly used to transport the product illegally.
The discovery followed an earlier operation in which about 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil were recovered from illegal refining sites around Aworkiri, Rivers State, on September 8.
In the Southeast, troops of Operation Udo Ka engaged suspected secessionist terrorists at Obibi Forest in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.
The fleeing suspects abandoned a general-purpose machine gun, a rifle, ammunition, a motorcycle and other items.
Troops also arrested a suspected informant and rescued a woman who had allegedly been kidnapped about two months earlier from her hairdressing salon in Orsu.
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for their gallantry and sacrifices in sustaining military operations across the country.
Oluyede also recognised the contributions of other security agencies, local security groups, traditional rulers and community leaders to the ongoing security efforts.
The Chief of Defence Staff urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to support military operations and efforts to protect communities across the country.