The Nigerian Armed Forces on Friday announced rescuing over 100 kidnapped victims and eliminating scores of terrorists and criminal elements in a series of coordinated operations across the country over the past seven days.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, who made this disclosure said the troops also intercepted large caches of weapons and ammunition, arrested several logistics suppliers, collaborators, and gunrunners, and disrupted oil theft activities worth more than ₦224 million in the Niger Delta.
According Kangye, troops foiled the theft of over 22,000 litres of crude oil products, including 5,500 litres of diesel and 150,000 litres of petrol, while destroying multiple illegal refining sites and arresting eight suspects.
While disclosed that troops under Operation Hadin Kai eliminated several Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in Borno and Adamawa States, the Nigerian army image- maker, disclosed that during the operations, nine suspected terrorists were arrested, three hostages rescued, and multiple weapons recovered.
Additionally, according to him, twelve suspected collaborators and informants were apprehended across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, while logistics items, vehicles, drugs, and large quantities of petroleum products were seized.
In North West operations, kangye said troops under Operation Hadarin Daji and Operation Fasin Yamma rescued 33 kidnapped civilians and arrested eight terrorists during raids in Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto States. He also disclosed that two motorcycles, mobile phones, and ₦3 million suspected to be ransom payments were recovered.
Kanye said in the North Central operations, troops of Operation Safe Haven and Operation Enduring Peace responded to multiple distress calls in Plateau and Kaduna States, killing several extremists and rescuing two kidnapped victims.
Weapons, vehicles, and ₦1.3 million in cash were confiscated.
Similarly, troops under Operation Whirl Stroke arrested three suspected criminals and rescued two hostages during operations in Taraba, Kogi, Benue, and Nasarawa States.
In Niger Delta operations, the Nigerian Army publicist, said troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed several illegal refining sites and arrested eight suspects.
During separate operations in Rivers and Delta States, troops rescued one kidnapped victim and recovered various weapons and equipment used by the suspects.
While in the South East operations, troops under Operation Udoka arrested a wanted commander of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN), identified as Uche Okafor, also known as Whipper, along with four others in Imo and Abia States.
He disclosed that four additional suspects were arrested in Anambra and Enugu States, while weapons, vehicles, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered.
Major General Kangye, who also emphasized that all operations were conducted in line with international standards, with strict adherence to human rights and the protection of civilian lives, commended the troops for their professionalism and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to restoring peace and stability across the nation.
“The Armed Forces remain committed to denying freedom of action to terrorists, insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements.
These operations demonstrate our determination to protect national security and support economic stability,” Kangye stated.
