Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 54 suspected terrorists and criminals, while also rescuing nine kidnapped victims during coordinated operations across different theatres in the country within the last 24 hours.
A reliable source at the Army Headquarters disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, adding that several terrorists were neutralised in the process. The operations also resulted in the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition, rustled livestock, as well as the destruction of illegal bunkering sites.
In the North-East, troops under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) successfully repelled an attack by fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram insurgents at Ngirboa Bridge in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
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The source further revealed that a family member of ISWAP terrorists surrendered to soldiers of the 192 Battalion in Gwoza Local Government Area after fleeing from Kunde village in the Mandara Mountains, Borno State.
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued eight kidnapped victims during clearance operations at Tungar Miragumi and Zugu villages in Bukkuyum axis of Zamfara State. They also recovered 21 sheep from rustlers during a counter-rustling operation in Anka Local Government Area.
Similarly, soldiers recovered 143 rustled sheep in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, where they also dismantled a terrorist camp.
Troops in Katsina State killed one terrorist during a gun battle at Sabuwa, while operatives of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lilo in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara neutralised six terrorists during an encounter.
In the South-West, troops of Operation MESA working alongside other security agencies arrested 10 suspected internet fraudsters in Ajegunle, Kishi Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Additionally, 42 other suspects were apprehended at Idu Industrial Area in Abuja. A police officer providing protection for the Abuja suspects was also arrested and handed over for further investigation.
The source added that troops also foiled illegal oil bunkering activities in Bayelsa and Rivers States, where large volumes of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), hoses, pipes and other equipment were seized.
In Rivers, two suspected sea pirates were arrested with locally fabricated weapons and a fibre boat, while operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) nabbed four narcotics suspects during a joint operation in Bayelsa.
Reaffirming the Army’s commitment to safeguarding the country, the source urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.
