Military rescues 59 kidnap victims, neutralises 11 terrorists in nationwide operations 

Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (Aency Report) — The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops rescued at least 59 kidnapped victims and neutralised 11 terrorists during military operations across the country between August 14 and August 20. 

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, providing an update on the military’s operational activities across the country during the period. 

In the North-East, Onoja said troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued eight kidnapped victims. 

He said troops also rescued three victims from Gwamnare Forest in Bauchi State and a 63-year-old Cameroonian national abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis. 

According to him, troops neutralised three terrorists and recovered weapons and other war materiel, while 47 family members of terrorists and six fighters surrendered to troops in Borno State. 

In the North-West, Onoja said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 28 abducted persons across Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states between August 17 and August 19. 

The troops also neutralised four terrorists, arrested an explosives courier and other suspected terrorist collaborators, and recovered weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and cash. 

He said the operation further led to the arrest of six suspected informants allegedly linked to the abduction of an immigration officer’s family and staff, as well as students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda. 

In the North-Central, Onoja said troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE compelled kidnappers to release 13 victims comprising two men, five women and six children in Kogi State. 

The troops also neutralised two suspected criminals, arrested an arms courier and recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and other weapons during separate operations in Taraba and Benue states. 

Similarly, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE recovered several firearms, fabricated rifles, Dane guns and ammunition during a raid on suspected criminals in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. 

In Kwara State, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD neutralised one terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle, while seven kidnap victims were rescued during a night patrol in Patigi Local Government Area. 

In the South-South, Onoja said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE arrested suspected kidnappers and an arms trafficker, recovering seven locally made pistols, ammunition and a camouflage vest. 

He added that the troops disrupted three illegal refining sites in Rivers State, recovering about 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). 

In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA dismantled suspected secessionist camps, recovered weapons and safely cleared multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) across Imo, Anambra and Abia states. 

The troops also dismantled an illegal bunkering site in Abia, arrested suspects and recovered suspected stolen AGO, motorcycles and a vehicle. 

“On Aug. 20, troops conducting clearance operations towards ‘Mother Valley’ in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra cleared 11 IEDs,” Onoja said. 

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy commissioned a solar-powered water project for residents of Ward F2 in Surulere, Lagos, as part of the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s civil-military cooperation initiatives. 

Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for their sustained successes in rescuing abducted citizens, neutralising terrorists and degrading criminal networks. 

He said Oluyede also commended the synergy between the military, other security agencies and local security groups, while urging Nigerians and community leaders to continue providing useful information to troops. 

The Defence spokesperson added that the Chief of Defence Staff appreciated the media for its professionalism and balanced reportage of military operations. 

According to him, Oluyede assured Nigerians that the military would sustain the tempo of operations until peace and security were restored nationwide.