The Defence Headquarters on Friday said troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria neutralised scores of terrorists, arrested 38 suspects and rescued over 50 kidnapped victims in coordinated operations carried out across the country within the last week.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja, detailing the outcomes of various missions executed under different Joint Task Forces.
He said the operations led to the recovery of automatic rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenade tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated firearms, Improvised Explosive Device materials, live ammunition and other logistics.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai conducted intelligence-led offensives across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, targeting fighters of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
Onoja said the operations were carried out in Bama, Biu, Chibok, Damboa, Guzamala, Jere, Konduga, Mafa, Mobbar, Damaturu, Gombi and Maiha Local Government Areas.
According to him, dozens of insurgents were neutralised, eight suspects arrested and 11 abducted persons rescued during the operations.
He added that troops ambushed terrorists at Komala Village in Jere Local Government Area, killing several fighters and recovering motorcycles, weapons and other items.
The Air Component, he said, also carried out precision strikes in Chongolo Kura in Bama LGA and Abbagajere Village in Damboa LGA, destroying terrorist hideouts and logistics structures.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma recorded successes in Zamfara, Kano and Katsina states, eliminating several terrorists, rescuing two kidnapped victims and recovering arms, vehicles and rustled livestock.
Operations in the North-Central zone under Operations Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace and Whirl Stroke led to the arrest of 16 suspects and the rescue of 26 abducted persons across Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Taraba and Kogi states.
In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe foiled oil theft activities, dismantled nine illegal refining sites and arrested 11 suspects in Rivers and Bayelsa states, while recovering weapons and ammunition.
Similarly, troops of Operation UDO KA in the South-East conducted cordon-and-search operations in Ebonyi, Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Enugu and Imo states, resulting in the arrest of eight suspected terrorists and the recovery of arms.
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for their gallantry and professionalism, assuring Nigerians that military operations would be sustained with enhanced inter-agency collaboration to restore peace and security nationwide.
