Nigerian Army troops have conducted a series of nationwide operations, resulting in the arrest of 47 suspected criminals. The operations, which took place over the last 24 hours, also led to the rescue of several kidnapped victims and the neutralization of a suspected terrorist. The troops recovered suspected stolen and rustled livestock, detonated an improvised explosive device (IED), and disrupted criminal activities across eight states.
The operations were carried out by troops of Operation MESA, who raided suspected criminal hideouts in Nasarawa State, arresting 47 suspects and recovering various items, including two motorcycles, an unspecified quantity of suspected cannabis, 32 mobile phones, a laptop, and four wristwatches. The suspects and recovered items were handed over to the Police Division in Karu for further investigation.
In Zamfara, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued three civilians who sustained gunshot wounds after engaging terrorists along the Dampo-Rumba Road. The victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Bakura, for medical attention. Additionally, troops responding to a kidnapping incident in Katsina engaged the terrorists, forcing them to abandon their victims and flee, and recovered one vehicle.
Troops also intercepted five trucks conveying 117 cows, two donkeys, one goat, and five cow skins suspected to have been stolen in Zamfara. The recovered livestock were handed over to the Chairman, Committee on Recovery of Rustled Cattle, Gusau, for further action. In another operation, troops intercepted a suspected stolen vehicle in Tsafe, Zamfara, which was recovered and handed over to the unit headquarters.
In Niger, troops of Operation Savannah Shield discovered and safely detonated an IED along the Dekara-Gewazi Road. In Kaduna, troops of Operation Enduring Peace neutralized a suspected terrorist during an offensive operation, killing one suspect while others fled the scene. Troops also intervened in a shooting incident at Yangwari Market in Plateau, evacuating eight passengers who sustained gunshot wounds.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA arrested suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) during offensive operations. Three suspects were apprehended while attempting to escape, but one was neutralized while trying to evade arrest. The remaining suspects were handed over to the DSS for further action.
The Nigerian Army troops' operations also led to the discovery of an illegal refining site containing about 720 litres of illegally refined crude oil and 41 cooking drums in Imo. All recovered items were handled in line with extant regulations. The troops' efforts have resulted in significant successes in the fight against crime and terrorism in Nigeria.
Key points
- 47 suspected criminals arrested in nationwide operations
- Several kidnapped victims rescued, suspected terrorist neutralized
- Troops recover stolen livestock, detonated IED, and disrupted criminal activities across eight states
