The Defence Headquarters on Thursday said troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces killed an undisclosed number of terrorists, arrested 137 suspects and rescued 37 kidnapped victims in a week of nationwide operations.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Defence Headquarters on Thursday said troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces killed an undisclosed number of terrorists, arrested 137 suspects and rescued 37 kidnapped victims in a week of nationwide operations.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, who briefed journalists in Abuja, said the operations were conducted between August 7 and 14 across all six geopolitical zones, targeting insurgents, bandits, separatists, oil thieves and other criminal groups.
“Our men have continued to demonstrate courage, resilience and determination to dismantle terrorists’ networks, defeat banditry and all other forms of crime,” Kangye said. “Due to the intensity of our operations, farmers have been able to carry out activities unhindered. This effort will be sustained throughout the farming season and beyond.”
In the North-East, troops under Operation Hadin Kai eliminated Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS fighters in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. Thirty-seven suspects were arrested while five abductees were rescued. Weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices were also recovered.
Troops of Operation Fasan Yamma in the North-West killed armed gangs in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kaduna States, arrested 11 suspects and freed 17 hostages.
In the North-Central, Operation Safe Haven neutralised terrorists in Plateau, Kaduna and Bauchi States, arrested four criminals and rescued six victims. A gunrunner concealing an AK-47 rifle in a sack of animal feed was intercepted along the Kwoi–Keffi Road in Jama’a LGA of Kaduna.
Operation Whirl Stroke troops operating in Benue, Taraba, Kogi and the FCT killed several fighters, arrested 13 suspects and freed nine hostages. Two notorious gunrunners were apprehended in Kogi State, and a large cache of ammunition was recovered from a deserted extremist camp in Taraba.
In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe foiled oil theft worth over ₦37.5m, destroyed illegal refining sites and arrested 29 suspects, while in the South-East, Operation Udo Ka killed separatist fighters, arrested six suspected IPOB/ESN members and a kidnapper, and seized arms and ammunition.
Kangye pledged that the armed forces would not relent, saying: “Our gallant troops, in conjunction with other security agencies and hybrid forces, will continue to work together to restore peace and security to all troubled parts of the country.”
Military kills terrorists, arrests 137, rescues 37 in one week
