Abuja: Within the past week, the Defence Headquarters reported that coordinated nationwide operations by the Armed Forces neutralised scores of terrorists, apprehended 38 suspects, and rescued over 50 kidnapped victims.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Recoveries from these joint task forces included automatic weapons, Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated firearms, IED-making materials, live cartridges, and assorted ammunition, Onoja said.
Transitioning to the North-East, he said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) conducted intelligence-driven operations across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, targeting Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.
Operations took place in several local government areas, including Bama, Biu, Chibok, Damboa, Guzamala, Jere, Konduga, Mafa, Mobbar, Damaturu, Gombi, and Maiha, according to him.
These operations led to dozens of terrorists neutralised, eight arrests, 11 kidnapped victims rescued, and recovered weapons and logistics.
In Komala Village, Jere Local Government Area, troops carried out an ambush. There, they neutralised several fighters and seized motorcycles, weapons, and household items.
The Air Component tracked and neutralised terrorists in Chongolo Kura, Bama LGA, and Abbagajere Village, Damboa LGA. Their living structures were destroyed in the process, he stated.
Shifting focus to the North-West, Onoja said the troops of Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY) neutralised multiple terrorists, rescued two kidnapped victims, and recovered weapons, vehicles and rustled livestock in Zamfara, Kano and Katsina states.
In the North-Central, he said the troops of Operations SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE dislodged terrorists from hideouts, in operations across Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Taraba and Kogi states.
According to him, 16 suspects were apprehended, 26 kidnapped victims rescued, and arms, ammunition and motorcycles were seized.
“In the South-South, Onoja stated that Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft, destroyed nine illegal refining sites, arrested 11 suspects, and recovered arms and ammunition in Rivers and Bayelsa states.“Focusing on the South-East, Operation UDO KA conducted cordon and search operations across Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Enugu, and Imo, arresting eight terrorists and recovering arms and ammunition,” he added.
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, had commended troops for their courage and resilience, assuring Nigerians of sustained operations, strengthened inter-agency collaboration, and continued efforts to secure peace nationwide.
