Military rescues 43 kidnapped victims, neutralises 26 terrorists
…Recovers 205,000 litres of stolen crude products, arrests 15 suspects
By Kingsley Omonobi
ABUJA — Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces conducting operations across the country have rescued 43 kidnapped victims, neutralised 26 terrorists and arrested 15 suspected criminals in the past week.
The troops also foiled attempts to steal about 205,000 litres of crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products in the Niger Delta, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed on Friday.
Giving an update on military operations across the various theatres, Onoja said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued several abducted persons in the North-West.
He said six victims were rescued along the Dandume-Sheme Road in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State on August 22, with N800,000 allegedly collected from them by their captors recovered.
On August 23, troops rescued six victims at Gadan Manya village in Anka LGA of Zamfara State, three of whom sustained minor injuries.
Three abducted children were also rescued in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State on August 24 and reunited with their families.
Onoja said 14 abducted persons were rescued at Magazu village in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State on August 25, with one sustaining gunshot injuries.
The following day, troops rescued two female captives at Hayin Babangida in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State. A male farmer abducted during the same incident was, however, found dead from gunshot wounds.
The troops also disrupted arms trafficking and kidnapping networks in the zone.
On August 23, they intercepted disassembled canoes allegedly belonging to a terrorist kingpin along the Zamfara-Kebbi axis and arrested three suspected gunrunners along the Kaura Namoda-Shinkafi Road.
An assault rifle concealed in a bag of millet and allegedly destined for a terrorist kingpin in Zamfara State was recovered.
The same day, troops arrested a suspected terrorist kingpin, Mallam Sanusi Mai Glass, and his associate in Dutsinma LGA of Katsina State, recovering a vehicle.
Two other suspected terrorists were arrested in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State on August 25, with firearms, communication equipment and cash recovered. Incriminating images and videos were also recovered from a suspect’s mobile phone.
North-East
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai intercepted eight abducted persons, comprising three women and five children, around Ngoshe in Gwoza LGA of Borno State on August 22.
Three minors who escaped from terrorist enclaves near Amuda Bridge in Gwoza were also rescued the same day.
Between August 23 and 27, troops arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers, spies and fighters in Biu, Guzamala and Damboa LGAs of Borno State, as well as Michika LGA of Adamawa State.
Onoja said troops repelled an attempted terrorist infiltration along the Gulumba Gana axis in Dikwa LGA of Borno State on August 27, neutralising one terrorist while two others escaped with gunshot wounds.
He said all rescued persons were handed over to camp officials and community leaders for further care.
During a clearance operation at Kopre Mountain in Hong LGA of Adamawa State between August 26 and 27, troops neutralised 21 terrorists and destroyed their camp.
The operation also yielded six AK-47 rifles, 23 magazines and 586 rounds of ammunition.
The military further recorded several surrenders and arrests of suspected terrorists and their collaborators.
Between August 22 and 25, a terrorist leader, several fighters and their family members surrendered to troops at Kumburi, Bula Daloye and New Abaram Resettlement Village in Bama LGA of Borno State.
The military said the surrendering terrorists cited sustained military pressure and internal clashes between rival terrorist factions as reasons for their decision.
On August 25, troops, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), arrested a suspected kidnapper at Madara Village in Katagum LGA of Bauchi State.
Two suspected logistics suppliers linked to a terrorist leader were also arrested in Bauchi LGA on August 27 but were subsequently neutralised while allegedly attempting to escape from custody.
North-Central
In the North-Central, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested an alleged accomplice of a previously apprehended gunrunner at Dorowa in Wukari LGA of Taraba State on August 22.
The suspect reportedly confessed to supplying four AK-47 rifles and about 6,000 rounds of ammunition.
On August 23, troops arrested a suspected terrorist and his courier around Okene LGA of Kogi State.
Two kidnap victims were rescued in separate operations in Lokoja LGA of Kogi State between August 24 and 26, while a weapon abandoned by fleeing kidnappers was recovered.
Troops also engaged suspected terrorists at Ahungwa in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State on August 27, neutralising one while another escaped into a nearby forest.
A suspected gunrunner was also arrested in Jalingo LGA of Taraba State in connection with alleged arms trafficking to rebel elements in Cameroon.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Enduring Peace arrested a suspect following a report of gunshots around DTV in Bassa LGA of Plateau State on August 22.
A locally made hunting gun was recovered from the suspect, who allegedly claimed he fired the weapon while hunting. Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the incident.
Also, troops of Operation Savannah Shield engaged terrorists at Dekara in Borgu LGA of Niger State on August 23, forcing the attackers to flee into the Kainji Lake National Park.
Troops subsequently recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, six motorcycles, 49 mobile phones, nine phone batteries and 10 memory cards along the terrorists’ withdrawal route.
Oil theft
In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe, under Operation Delta Sentinel, disrupted suspected crude oil storage infrastructure containing about 93,000 litres of stolen crude around Allison Community in Bonny LGA of Rivers State on August 20.
The following day, troops intercepted two vehicles conveying about 8,500 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products along the Ejemekuru-Obudi-Agwa axis of Imo State and arrested three suspects. Other suspects reportedly fled, abandoning one of the vehicles.
On August 22, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder disrupted three illegal refining sites around the Ohaji axis of Egbema-Ndoni LGA of Rivers State and recovered about 103,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
On August 27, troops intercepted two tanker trucks allegedly preparing to siphon crude oil from an illegal collection point at Aleto in Eleme LGA of Rivers State and arrested two suspects.
South-East
In the South-East, troops of Operation Udoka intercepted two vehicles conveying suspected illegally refined petroleum products derived from stolen crude oil along the Agwa-Ejemekuru Road in Oguta LGA of Imo State on August 21.
Three suspects were arrested.
The military said preliminary investigations revealed the alleged involvement of the leader of a local security group in Orlu, who reportedly fled after being directed to report for verification.
The matter has been reported to the leader of the local security group in Imo State to assist in locating the suspect for further investigation.
On August 22, troops, in collaboration with the DSS and a local security group in Anambra State, raided suspected IPOB/ESN strongholds at Obene and Abator villages in Ogbaru LGA.
One suspected terrorist was neutralised, while pump-action guns, motorcycles and materials allegedly intended for the fabrication of improvised explosive devices were recovered.
CDS commends troops, Air Peace
Onoja also said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their recent successes and appreciated Air Peace for a gesture by its staff and passengers toward Nigerian military personnel.
He said the gesture followed a directive by the airline’s Chairman, Allen Onyema, that military and police personnel be accorded priority boarding and applauded in recognition of their service and sacrifices to the nation.
According to him, the gesture reflected public goodwill toward the nation’s security forces amid prevailing security challenges.
The CDS commended the troops for their gallantry, discipline and commitment to rescuing abducted citizens, neutralising terrorists, dismantling criminal and secessionist networks and disrupting illegal oil bunkering activities.
He also commended the collaboration between the military and other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, local security groups and other stakeholders.
Oluyede further urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing useful information to security agencies to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain the current tempo of operations across the country.
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