By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Defence Headquarters says troops neutralised 65 terrorists and rescued 34 kidnapped victims during sustained operations across the country from Aug. 7 to Aug. 13.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday in a statement on ongoing military operations across the country.

Onoja said the operations also led to the arrest of terrorist collaborators, logistics suppliers, gunrunners and other criminal elements, with recovery of arms, ammunition and contraband.

In the North-East, he said the troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained offensive operations, disrupting terrorist logistics networks and degrading their operational capabilities across Borno and Adamawa.

He said troops neutralised a terrorist at a hideout in Kaniram East, Abadam LGA of Borno, recovering arms and ammunition before destroying the hideout.

Onoja said the troops also disrupted terrorists collecting illegal taxes from herders along the Gaba-Dzangola axis in Gombi LGA of Adamawa, forcing them to withdraw and abandon weapons and ammunition.

He said 19 terrorist fighters, women, children and teenagers surrendered to troops at different locations in Borno, citing food shortages, military pressure and internal clashes.

He added that troops countered a terrorist infiltration attempt in Nganzai LGA, neutralising one terrorist and recovering an assault rifle, ammunition and explosive devices.

According to him, five female abductees were also rescued around Amuda Bridge along the Ngoshe-Gava Road in Gwoza LGA after escaping from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains.

In the North-West, Onoja said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA engaged terrorists in Zamfara, Katsina and Kebbi, forcing them to withdraw and recover motorcycles, camouflage materials and communication equipment.

He said troops also arrested terrorist collaborators and logistics facilitators, including two suspected foreign IED experts at Zurmi, Zamfara, while ?5.302 million allegedly meant for terrorist associates was recovered from a suspect.

Onoja said troops responded to terrorist activities around Magazu Village, Tsafe LGA of Zamfara, forcing the terrorists to abandon kidnapped victims.

In Kebbi, he added that troops responding to an attack at Makuku Village, Sakaba LGA, neutralised 18 terrorists, although 10 personnel of a local security outfit, one vigilante and a civilian were killed.

In the North-Central, Onoja said the troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE sustained clearance operations against criminal hideouts and kidnap syndicates in Benue and Kogi states.

In Benue, he said the troops neutralised one armed assailant at Azege village in Logo LGA and recovered a rifle and ammunition, while subsequent operations in Ukum LGA led to the arrest of five suspected kidnap associates.

According to him, troops also rescued 16 kidnap victims comprising six men, six women and four children along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe axes in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi.

“On Aug. 11, the troops rescued another nine victims along the Ajaokuta-Itobe Road after engaging kidnappers and forcing them to abandon their captives.

“Under Operation ENDURING PEACE, troops rescued a kidnapped resident in Plateau after sustained pressure forced her abductors to abandon her at Rafin Bauna in Bassa LGA.

“In Niger, Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD troops rescued nine male kidnap victims in Mariga LGA and continued offensive operations against terrorist elements.

“In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA, working with the Department of State Services, intensified operations against a kidnap syndicate operating across Enugu and adjoining states,” he said.

Onoja said the operations led to the neutralisation of one syndicate commander, the arrest of another member and recovery of cash and other incriminating items.

According to him, troops subsequently recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition from a forest hideout.

In the South-South, Onoja said the Operation DELTA SAFE troops rescued a kidnapped farmer in Edo after neutralising one kidnapper and recovered ?1.5 million reportedly intended as ransom.

He added that the troops also sustained operations against crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, recovering large quantities of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products.

“The Air Component equally sustained precision strikes and armed reconnaissance missions, with an Aug. 9 operation in Mariga, Niger, disrupting a large terrorist concentration and reportedly accounting for about 120 bodies and 300 motorcycles,” he said.

Onoja said another air operation on Aug. 13 around Maburya in Mariga neutralised 46 terrorists fleeing with rustled cattle, further disrupting their activities.

He said the successes demonstrated the sustained tempo and coordination of the AFN, stressing that operations were increasingly targeting terrorists’ logistics, supply chains, hideouts and funding sources.

The Defence spokesman said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops and collaborating security agencies for their commitment, urging Nigerians to provide credible information to support ongoing operations.

He assured Nigerians that the AFN remained resolute in securing the country and restoring peace and stability to affected communities. (NAN)

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