By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 11 kidnapped victims and arrested 21 suspected terrorists, collaborators, logistics suppliers and drug peddlers in coordinated operations across Borno, Zamfara and Kogi.

This is contained in operational reports made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.

According to the reports, the operations, conducted under Operation HADIN KAI, Operation Fansan Yamma and Operation MESA between July 21 and 22, also led to the discovery and destruction of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by terrorists.

The army said the troops of Operation HADIN KAI arrested three suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers around New Abbaram Resettlement Village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

It said the items recovered included 3.5 litres of groundnut oil, kola nuts, salt and 76 sachets of coconut flavouring believed to be destined for terrorists.

The army added that troops also received two teenage girls who escaped from the Grazah terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains and surrendered at Gwoza.

According to the report, troops discovered and safely detonated two primed IEDs planted by terrorists to target security forces and commuters along the Dambua-Bulabulin-Kumala road.

“Similarly, troops encountered another booby-trap IED along the Cross Kauwa-Kekeno-Monguno road, while fragments were recovered for further forensic analysis.

“In Monguno, troops arrested 12 suspected drug peddlers during raids on criminal hideouts, recovering quantities of cannabis, tramadol and other illicit substances,” it said.

The reports further indicated that troops of Operation Fansan Yamma engaged terrorists along the Gambada-Gummi-Sokoto road in Zamfara, forcing them to flee and abandon 11 kidnapped victims and a motorcycle.

In Kogi, it said the troops arrested a suspected terrorist informant who confessed to working for a notorious terrorist kingpin identified as Kachallah Babangida.

The report added that security forces also apprehended three suspected terrorists during separate operations in Adavi and Lokoja Local Government Areas.

“Additionally, troops arrested two suspected logistics couriers transporting food items, drinks and cigarettes allegedly meant for terrorists operating within the state,” it added.

The army said search operations were ongoing to rescue two persons abducted by gunmen in Owo, Ondo State, while troops recovered a bicycle and bags of charcoal abandoned by a fleeing logistics supplier.

It added that the operations reflected sustained efforts by the Armed Forces to dismantle terrorist logistics networks, rescue kidnapped victims and deny criminal elements freedom of action across various theatres of operation. (NAN)

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