The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Nigeria has announced that troops from the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) conducted successful operations against various security threats across the country. According to the Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, these operations took place between September 18 and 24. The military targeted terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking, oil theft, and other security threats.
One notable operation involved a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jet that disrupted the movement of terrorists in Kebbi State. The terrorists were conveying a large number of kidnapped victims around Bazama, Sakaba Local Government Area (LGA). The air intervention forced the terrorists to abandon their captives, allowing more than 60 kidnapped victims to escape. This airstrike was a significant blow to the terrorist group operating in the area.
In addition to the airstrike in Kebbi State, ground troops conducted rescue operations in several states. In Sokoto, 17 victims were rescued along the Isa-Kwanar Isa axis. Seven university students were also rescued along the Daye-Malumfashi Road in Katsina. Furthermore, troops rescued five victims, including the Executive Chairman of the Bungudu LGA of Zamfara, from terrorist captivity at Sekpore village in Kaura Namoda.
The military also made significant arrests and intercepted terrorist family members during the operations. In Borno State, troops intercepted 44 terrorist family members, comprising 13 women and 31 children, at Konduga in the Bama LGA. These individuals had escaped from terrorist camps amid clashes between rival terrorist factions. Additionally, over 20 terrorist fighters and family members surrendered to troops in the Gwoza, Dikwa, and Ngala LGAs of Borno State.
The surrendering terrorists cited hardship and lack of necessities in terrorist enclaves on the Mandara Mountains as reasons for abandoning their groups. The military also arrested suspected terrorist informants, collaborators, and logistics suppliers during the period under review. A suspected terrorist collaborator and a spy were arrested at Geidam market in Yobe, and a suspected kidnapper was arrested at Gubio, Borno.
The military continued to crack down on terrorist activities in other regions. In the North-west, troops arrested four suspected members of a terrorist group conveying rustled cattle near Illela, Sokoto. Three suspects were also arrested in Faskari, Katsina, for allegedly conveying N2.7 million intended for a notorious terrorist kingpin. Furthermore, troops engaged terrorists around the Abuja-Kaduna rail line and recovered a rifle and ammunition in Kaduna State.
The Defence Headquarters reported that the military operations were comprehensive, with successes across various regions. In the North-Central, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested several suspects involved in kidnapping and arms trafficking across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Taraba states. The military's efforts aim to address the multifaceted security challenges facing the country and ensure the safety of citizens.
Key points
- The military rescued over 60 kidnapped victims and arrested 44 suspects during operations between September 18 and 24.
- The operations targeted terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking, oil theft, and other security threats across Nigeria.
- The military intercepted 44 terrorist family members and had over 20 terrorist fighters and family members surrender in Borno State.
