By Chimezie Godfrey
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria neutralised scores of terrorists and rescued over 80 abducted victims between Dec. 3 and Dec. 12 across various theatres of operation nationwide.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while briefing journalists on ongoing military operations across the country.
Maj.-Gen. Onoja said troops, in collaboration with other security agencies, conducted coordinated kinetic and non-kinetic operations across all theatres, recording notable successes in the North East, North West, North Central, South-South and South-East geopolitical zones.
According to him, the operations resulted in the arrest of dozens of terrorists’ collaborators, logistics suppliers and informants, as well as the recovery of large caches of arms, ammunition, IED-making materials, vehicles and motorcycles.
In the North East under Operation HADIN KAI, Onoja said troops neutralised several Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terrorists in Borno and Adamawa States, apprehended 22 collaborators and rescued 15 kidnapped victims.
He said the troops also destroyed terrorist enclaves and recovered assorted weapons, vehicles and motorcycles, adding that air reconnaissance missions provided critical intelligence support that enhanced ground operations.
In the North West, Onoja said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralised several terrorists across Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Niger and Kano States.
“Eighteen terrorists were arrested, while 10 kidnapped victims were rescued.
“A wanted terrorist’s medical doctor and an arms dealer were also arrested following intelligence-led operations,” he said.
Onoja said in the North Central, troops of Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE rescued 24 kidnapped victims across Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory.
He added that several extremists were neutralised and suspects arrested during the operations.
The DDMO disclosed that troops recovered over N6.6 million from kidnappers and their logistics suppliers, in addition to arms and ammunition.
In the South-South, Onoja said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft valued at over N15.6 million, uncovered and destroyed seven illegal refining sites, and arrested 68 suspects across Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Imo States.
“They recovered 16,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,475 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), as well as assorted arms and ammunition,” he said.
In the South-East, Onoja said troops of Operation UDO KA rescued 15 kidnapped victims, raided a suspected IPOB/ESN weapons fabrication workshop in Anambra State and recovered arms, ammunition and weapon-servicing tools.
He added that 11 illegal immigrants were also handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service for further action.
The defence spokesman reassured Nigerians that concerted efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining abducted students of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Agwara, Niger State, and other captives.
He urged members of the public and the media to refrain from speculation and continue to support security agencies with credible and timely information.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain resolute in denying criminal elements freedom of action and ensuring a secure environment for national stability and economic activities,” he said.
Troops Kill Scores of Terrorists, Rescue 80 Abductees in Nationwide Operations – DHQ
