Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 34 kidnap victims, arrested suspected terrorists and informants, and recovered arms and ammunition during a series of coordinated operations conducted across the country within the last 24 hours.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the military disclosed in an operational report released on Sunday that the successful operations were carried out by various formations under Operation HADIN KAI, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Operation MESA, Operation Enduring Peace and Operation UDO KA.
The report said troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued 31 kidnap victims along the Buratai Kumuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State after troops of the 135 Special Forces Battalion detected ISWAP and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal Jihad (JAS) terrorists abducting civilians from four vehicles through Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance.
Following the discovery, troops swiftly deployed a quick reaction force, engaged the terrorists in a gun battle and forced them to abandon the victims before fleeing the scene. One motorcycle was recovered during the operation.
In a separate operation, troops of the 145 Battalion conducted a fighting patrol to the Turoh general area of Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State. The terrorists reportedly fled upon sighting the advancing troops, abandoning two motorcycles and quantities of illicit drugs recovered during the operation.
The report also disclosed that troops of the 232 Battalion Tactical arrested a suspected ISWAP informant at Garaha Market in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts in the North East.
In the North West, troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA engaged terrorists transporting rustled cattle in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The military said the troops’ superior firepower overwhelmed the terrorists, forcing them to retreat in disarray and abandon their operation.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation MESA rescued a kidnapped woman and her two children along the old Obajana Jakura Tajimi Road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.
According to the report, preliminary investigations revealed that the victims had been abducted on July 29 from a Ruga settlement in the Gada Biyu area of the same local government.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace responded to reports of an attack on a herder in Bassa Local Government Area. Although the attackers fled before the arrival of security personnel, the deceased victim and recovered cattle were handed over to the victim’s family.
The report further revealed that troops of Operation UDO KA recorded a major breakthrough in the South East with the arrest of three suspected terrorists linked to the ambush of troops in Imo State on May 4.
The operation, conducted across Delta and Imo states, followed credible intelligence obtained from suspects previously arrested by security forces.
During the operation, troops recovered four AK 47 rifles, one FN rifle, one pistol, 11 AK 47 magazines, two FN magazines, 239 rounds of assorted ammunition, a fragmentation jacket and other military equipment.
The military added that some of the recovered weapons were among those stolen during the May 4 ambush on troops, while further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of another terrorist camp containing additional arms and ammunition.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations across the country to dismantle terrorist networks, rescue abducted persons and restore peace in affected communities.
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