By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have rescued more than 40 kidnapped victims, arrested over 20 suspected terrorists, collaborators and other criminal elements during coordinated operations across the country between July 10 and July 16.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja, in a statement on military operations nationwide.

Onoja said then that during the operations the troops also eutralised several terrorists and dismantled criminal networks.

He said that the successes were recorded by troops of Operations Hadin Kai, Fansan Yamma, Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace, Whirl Stroke, Delta Safe and Udo Ka in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups.

He said troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the North-East, leading to the surrender of 10 family members of terrorists, the arrest of six suspected logistics suppliers and collaborators, as well as the rescue of 13 abductees.

According to him, troops also foiled infiltration attempts around Maiduguri, neutralised terrorists during ambush operations and arrested a suspected foreign spy at Mallam Fatori in Borno State.

In the North-West, Onoja said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma arrested terrorist collaborators, neutralised three terrorists and rescued 14 kidnapped victims in separate operations across Zamfara and Kebbi states.

He said troops also recovered vehicles and other items from fleeing terrorists while successfully repelling attacks on several communities.

The defence spokesman said troops of Operation Savannah Shield rescued four kidnapped victims in Niger and Kwara states, while forest guards neutralised a suspected terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle, magazines and a Dane gun during an operation in Kwara.

He added that Operation Enduring Peace troops intercepted suspected arms traffickers in Kaduna State, arrested wanted criminal suspects in Plateau State and rescued four kidnap victims after foiling attacks along major highways.

According to him, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested an ammunition courier conveying 60 rounds of ammunition in Nasarawa State and four suspected terrorist collaborators in Kogi State.

He said troops also rescued a school principal, a NECO official and two students abducted during an attack on an examination centre in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi after sustained pressure forced the kidnappers to abandon them.

Onoja said troops of Operation Delta Safe sustained the fight against crude oil theft by discovering and destroying illegal refining sites in Rivers State containing stolen crude oil and refining equipment.

He added that troops also neutralised two suspected kidnappers in Edo State, recovered three rifles and ammunition, and rescued three abductees.

In the South-East, Onoja said Operation UDO KA troops arrested suspected members of a proscribed secessionist group, recovered weapons and ammunition and rescued two abductees along the Aba–Port Harcourt Expressway.

He said the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism, courage and dedication across all theatres of operation.

According to him, the CDS also applauded the intelligence-led collaboration among security agencies that led to the unconditional rescue of the 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity without any concession to the abductors.

He urged Nigerians to continue supporting the Armed Forces and other security agencies with timely and credible information, assuring that ongoing operations would be sustained until peace, security and stability were fully restored across the country. (NAN)

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