Odita Sunday 
Troops Neutralise Terrorists, Rescue Dozens, Recover Arms in Nationwide Operations – DHQ
By Odita Sunday
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have sustained nationwide offensives against terrorists, kidnappers, oil thieves and criminal syndicates, recording major operational gains including the rescue of kidnapped victims, arrest of collaborators and recovery of arms and ammunition across multiple theatres of operation.
This was disclosed in a statement on the ongoing military operations covering May 8 to 14, by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja.
The Defence Headquarters said troops intensified coordinated land and air offensives aimed at dismantling criminal networks and restoring peace across the country.
In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters across Borno, Adamawa, Taraba and Yobe states.
According to the military, troops on ambush along the Banki-Kumshe Road in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State intercepted a terrorist logistics convoy crossing from Cameroon into Nigeria.
Recovered items included bicycles, fuel, surgical drips, assorted medications, motorcycle parts, phone batteries and food supplies.
The military also disclosed that troops at Buni Gari in Gujba LGA of Yobe State repelled a large-scale terrorist assault on their camp.
“Troops neutralised five terrorists, including one foreign national and recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun, an AK-47 rifle, an RPG tube with accompanying bombs, over two thousand rounds of assorted ammunition, and cash,” the statement said.
The military, however, confirmed that three soldiers lost their lives during the encounter.
Further operations led to the rescue of 12 abductees, mostly women and children, from Ngoshe community in Borno State following air interdiction missions around the Mandara Mountains and clearance operations along the Amuda-Gava corridor.
Troops also arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and gunrunners in Yobe and Taraba states respectively.
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded multiple successes against terrorists and bandits in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states.
The military said troops rescued 32 kidnapped victims, including women and children, during an offensive operation in Matazu LGA of Katsina State.
Recovered during the operation were two AK-47 rifles, magazines, a fabricated hand grenade and 10 motorcycles.
Additional operations led to the neutralisation of terrorists in Katsina and Sokoto states as well as the arrest of suspected collaborators and logistics suppliers.
The Defence Headquarters further disclosed that troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD and Operation ENDURING PEACE conducted several rescue and interdiction operations across Niger, Kwara, Nasarawa, Plateau and the FCT.
The operations led to the arrest of suspected kidnappers, terrorist collaborators and gunrunning kingpins.
In Kogi and Benue states, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued a senior police officer, ASP Usman Ogbobi of PMF 44 Force Headquarters Abuja, alongside another victim who escaped from kidnappers along the Ochumekwu-Ugbobi Road in Benue State.
The military said troops also recovered arms, ammunition, motorcycles and medical supplies during ambush operations in Kogi State.
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE rescued a kidnap victim in Edo State and intensified anti-oil theft operations in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.
The military disclosed that troops uncovered illegal crude oil storage facilities and recovered approximately 7,800 litres of stolen crude oil as well as galvanised pipes valued at about N600m allegedly linked to crude oil theft operations.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against IPOB/ESN elements in Abia and Anambra states.
The operations led to the arrest of suspects and recovery of firearms, while troops also pursued kidnappers linked to the abduction of a resident in Umuahia South LGA of Abia State.
According to the military, one suspect was apprehended after being struck by a vehicle while attempting to flee across the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway.
Recovered from the suspect were N830,000 and a mobile phone.
The Defence Headquarters also highlighted ongoing non-kinetic operations, including a medical outreach programme by the Nigerian Air Force in Maiduguri and the donation of 400 bags of fertiliser to farming communities in Zamfara State by the Nigerian Army.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism and sacrifice.
“The AFN will not waver nor relent in its determination to defeat terrorism, separatist violence, pipeline vandalism, and every form of criminality threatening the peace, unity, and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement added.
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