Cynthia Ezegwu
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have intensified nationwide operations, killing scores of terrorists, rescuing 67 kidnapped victims, and arresting 94 criminal suspects within a two-week period.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Olatokunbo Bello, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while briefing journalists on military operations conducted between November 3 and 14.
According to Bello, troops recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including automatic rifles, machine guns, RPG tubes, locally fabricated firearms, and materials for improvised explosive devices. Several criminal hideouts, camps, and logistics bases were also destroyed.
In the North-East, he said troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained aggressive operations in Borno and Adamawa States, killing multiple Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters. “Troops also apprehended 45 terrorists’ informants, collaborators and logistics suppliers, and rescued one kidnapped victim,” he added.
In the North-West, Bello said troops of Operation Fagge Yamma neutralised several terrorists across Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, Kebbi and Kano States. Two suspects were arrested, 13 kidnapped victims rescued, and weapons, vehicles and livestock recovered.
For the North-Central, troops of Operation Enduring Peace responded to attacks in Plateau and Kaduna States, killing extremists, arresting 16 suspects and rescuing five kidnapped victims. A notorious criminal, Ibrahim Wakili, was arrested in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State on November 9.
He added that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke achieved further successes across Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States, killing several criminals, arresting 10 suspects and rescuing 48 kidnapped victims. “Additionally, two gunrunners and two extremist collaborators were arrested in Nasarawa State,” Bello said.
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In the South-South, troops of Operation Delta Safe foiled oil theft valued at over N15.8 million, destroying several illegal refining sites and arresting nine suspected oil thieves in Bayelsa and Delta States.
In the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka maintained pressure on violent groups, killing one terrorist and arresting seven others in operations across Imo, Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
Bello commended the troops for their resilience and urged the media to continue publishing accurate, verified information in support of national security efforts.