By ZAKAA LAZARUS – Abuja Nigeria
The Armed Forces of Nigeria have rescued 366 abducted civilians, arrested scores of terrorist collaborators and criminal suspects, and recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition during operations conducted across the country between June 5 and June 11.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, troops operating in various theatres of operation also disrupted kidnapping networks, foiled terrorist attacks, dismantled illegal oil bunkering sites and arrested suspected oil thieves.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued 360 civilians, mostly women and children, during a major operation in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The victims had been held captive since an attack on Ngoshe community in March. Troops also recovered several other escapees from terrorist enclaves in Borno and secured the surrender of a suspected terrorist in Monguno.
The military said several terrorist informants, logistics suppliers and collaborators were arrested in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, while weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and communication equipment were recovered during operations.
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA arrested a suspected arms dealer in Zamfara State and recovered more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition concealed in a sack of millet. Several suspected terrorists were also arrested, while motorcycles, communication gadgets and military-style uniforms were recovered during separate operations in Zamfara, Kaduna and Katsina states.
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD in Niger State arrested a suspected high-value terrorist informant and five other suspects linked to terrorist activities. Recovered items included mobile phones, propaganda materials, a motorcycle and cash.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE rescued eight kidnap victims, arrested suspected informants and apprehended two wanted kidnappers identified by a former victim.
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE also recorded successes in Benue, Kogi and Taraba states, recovering weapons and rescuing kidnap victims. In Kogi State, troops rescued two abductees after forcing their captors to abandon them during an operation.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE troops intensified the crackdown on crude oil theft, uncovering illegal bunkering sites and recovering stolen petroleum products in Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom states. Five suspected kidnappers were also arrested in Edo State.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation UDO KA in the South-East arrested suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, during operations in Abia and Enugu states.
The military said troops recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun, an RPG launcher, several AK-47 rifles, hand grenades, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and other weapons from suspected IPOB and ESN hideouts.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General OO Oluyede commended troops for their resilience and professionalism, assuring Nigerians that the Armed Forces would remain committed to protecting lives, safeguarding national assets and maintaining the country’s territorial integrity.
