By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Scores of terrorists have been killed in coordinated ground and air offensives by troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria across the North-East and North-West.

This is in a renewed operations against insurgents and bandits.

This is contained in an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

The report indicated that the operations were conducted under Operation HADIN KAI and Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

The report said the operations led to the rescue of abductees, arrest of suspected terrorists and kidnappers, and recovery of weapons and communication equipment.

In the North-East, it said troops of 212 Battalion intercepted a suspected ISWAP member along the Maiduguri–Monguno Road in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno.

It said the suspect was arrested with a Starlink internet terminal, a Wi-Fi device with six access points, a mobile phone and cash, and was handed over to military intelligence for further investigation.

The report added that troops of 82 Division Task Force Battalion also rescued two teenage girls around Amuda Bridge in Gwoza Local Government Area.

According to the report, the victims disclosed that they were abducted in August 2025, along the Pulka–Ngoshe Road and held captive at Talagiwa Camp in the Mandara Mountains before escaping captivity.

The report also said that the troops of 27 Task Force Brigade repelled a late-night terrorist attack on a military checkpoint at Buni Yadi/Buni Gari in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe.

The report added that two soldiers were killed during the encounter, while one gun truck was destroyed and follow-up operations were ongoing.

It further said that troops of 233 Battalion, supported by local hunters, also arrested five suspected kidnappers at Jegalari Village in Fune Local Government Area of Yobe State.

“Recovered from the suspects were three locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, a locally made pistol, ammunition and four mobile phones,” it said.

The report also said that an intelligence-led strike at Kala Balia in Marte Local Government Area eliminated about 15 terrorists after surveillance aircraft identified fighters and vehicles concealed within the enclave.

It added that at another night air mission along the Bama–Maiduguri axis, eight terrorists were neutralised after attack helicopters engaged enemy positions with sustained fire following observed hostile activity.

The report further said that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA engaged terrorists at Gambada Hill in Gummi Local Government Area of Zamfara.

It revealed that troops of 12 Brigade foiled a kidnapping attempt along the Kabba–Ayere Road in Kogi and rescued six abducted victims.

According to the report, the injured victims were evacuated to St. Joseph Hospital, Kabba, for medical treatment.

“In Nasarawa State, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE also rescued a kidnap victim during an operation at Tunga in Awe Local Government Area.

“In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA raided a criminal hideout in Awara Community Waterside, recovering a Lee-Enfield rifle, a G3 rifle and quantities of ammunition during the intelligence-led operation,” it added.

The military said the latest operations underscored sustained pressure on terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements through coordinated ground and air offensives nationwide.

It reaffirmed its resolve to sustain intelligence-driven operations until all criminal networks were dismantled and lasting peace restored across the country. (NAN)

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