By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Defence Headquarters says troops neutralised no fewer than 224 terrorists, arrested more than 423 suspects and rescued 279 kidnapped victims during operations across the North-West and North-Central in the second quarter.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the operational activities of the Armed Forces for the second quarter on Wednesday in Abuja.

Onoja said the successes were recorded through sustained offensive operations, intelligence-led raids, anti-kidnapping missions and arms interdiction across Operation Fansan Yamma, Operation Savannah Shield, Operation Enduring Peace and Operation Whirl Stroke.

He said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma in Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara neutralised 77 terrorists, arrested 210 suspects, rescued 153 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of one terrorist during the quarter.

According to him, troops also recovered several weapons, including PKT machine guns, AK-47 rifles, an RPG launcher tube, improvised explosive device chargers, motorcycles and large quantities of ammunition.

He said troops arrested a notorious terrorist kingpin disguised as a trader at Shinkafi market and intercepted over 1,000 rounds of ammunition concealed in a vehicle along the Gusau-Shinkafi road.

Onoja added that intelligence-led operations also led to the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators at Gusau International Airport and the interception of logistics suppliers transporting 69 jerry cans of fuel intended for terrorists.

He said troops of Operation Savannah Shield recorded the neutralisation of 24 terrorists, arrested 48 suspects and rescued eight kidnapped victims during the quarter.

According to him, the operation disrupted terrorist networks in Niger, Kwara, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory through targeted patrols, ambushes and intelligence-driven arrests.

He said troops also arrested informants and relatives of notorious terrorist leaders whose interrogation had yielded valuable intelligence for ongoing operations.

Onoja said troops of Operation Enduring Peace, operating in Southern Kaduna and Plateau, neutralised terrorists, arrested suspected kidnappers and rescued victims in several operations along major transit corridors.

He said troops intercepted suspected kidnappers, recovered arms and ammunition and arrested a dismissed police inspector found with illegally possessed firearms and ammunition.

The defence spokesman said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke operating in Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba neutralised 37 terrorists, arrested 86 suspects and rescued 59 kidnapped victims during the quarter.

He said the troops also disrupted illegal arms supply networks by intercepting weapons, explosives and ammunition meant for criminal groups, while several suspected kidnappers and terrorist informants were apprehended.

Onoja further disclosed that troops operating in the South-South and parts of the South-East intensified operations against kidnappers, economic saboteurs and illegal oil refining syndicates.

He said during the period, troops neutralised six criminals, arrested 53 suspects, dismantled seven illegal refining sites and recovered more than 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products.

According to him, several kidnapping syndicates were dismantled in Edo and Cross River, while kidnapped victims were rescued during coordinated operations.

Onoja reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to sustaining offensive operations against terrorists, kidnappers, oil thieves and other criminal elements across the country to ensure lasting peace and security. (NAN)

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