The Nigerian Army has sustained its nationwide offensive against violent groups, neutralising 18 terrorists, rescuing 14 kidnap victims and arresting 47 suspects within the last 48 hours.
A credible source at the Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria, on Tuesday that the intensified operations also yielded significant recoveries, including arms, ammunition, livestock, vehicles, motorcycles and other logistics used by criminal networks.
In the North-East, troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion repelled an ISWAP/JAS attack around Dutsen Nonu in Biu Local Government Area on Saturday morning.
Ground forces, supported by air interdiction, engaged the terrorists in a fierce encounter, killing 15 fighters and destroying two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices.
The troops further disrupted the group’s supply chain with the arrest of two logistics couriers at the Customs General area in Maiduguri.
Items found on them included nails suspected for IED fabrication, clothing materials, insecticides, nets and shovels. Preliminary investigations linked them to the terror network before they were handed over to the 7 Military Intelligence Brigade.
In the North-West, troops under Operation FANSAN Yamma intervened in a communal clash in Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa State while also intercepting terrorists in separate locations in Zamfara and Kebbi. Injured civilians were rescued during the engagements, and a motorcycle was recovered.
Security operations also intensified in Kaduna State, where troops working with local hunters apprehended a suspected kidnapper at Godogodo village in Jema’a Local Government Area.
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Under Operation Peace Shield, forces dislodged violent extremists in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, recovering 110 cows and 46 sheep. Efforts are underway to reunite the livestock with their rightful owners.
Troops in Cross River intercepted 11 migrants from Niger Republic who were travelling without valid documents in Yakurr Local Government Area. They were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further action.
In the South-South, troops of 195 Battalion operating under Operation WABAIZIGAN arrested 33 suspected Aiye cult members during an early-morning snap check along Avielle Road in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The suspects, intercepted in two Toyota Sienna buses and a Lexus RX350, were found with three pump-action guns, nine cartridges, cutlasses, 35 mobile phones, power banks, a WiFi device, motorcycles and face masks. They reportedly confessed to returning from an initiation ceremony in Agbede Forest.
Further south, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke rescued two kidnap victims in Amadu town, Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba State. Two other victims managed to escape from their captors, while search efforts continue for the remaining two.
The military source emphasised the Nigerian Army’s determination to maintain operational pressure across all theatres to safeguard citizens and restore stability nationwide.
NAN
