By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed five terrorists, rescued abductees and arrested several suspects in intelligence-led operations across the country.

This is contained in an operational update made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

The report said the operations, conducted between Aug. 14 and Aug. 15, also targeted terrorist logistics networks, illegal bunkering, political thuggery and other criminal activities.

In the North-East, it said the troops of Operation HADIN KAI intercepted three JAS terrorists who surrendered at Sabsawa in Bama Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno.

According to the report, the terrorists reportedly fled their camp following logistical difficulties and clashes with rival ISWAP elements.

“They surrendered two AK-47 rifles, 243 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 40 empty cases and other ammunition and military items.

“Troops also rescued an abducted woman and her two children along the Amuda Bridge in Gwoza LGA, after she escaped from a terrorist enclave where she had reportedly been held since 2017,” it said.

The report also revealed that troops apprehended a suspected terrorist infiltrator at Kukareta in Damaturu LGA of Yobe, adding that he was undergoing further investigation.

It said the troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralised two terrorists during an engagement at Kurudu village in Kankia LGA of Katrina State, and recovered an AK-47 rifle.

“In the North-Central, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout at Mista-Ali in Bassa LGA of Plateau, arresting three suspects.

“In a separate operation, troops foiled an attack on residents of Ariri village in Bassa, rescuing an injured victim after the attackers fled.

“In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA killed three suspected IPOB/ESN members and arrested nine others during a clearance operation in Osuakwa, on the boundary between Ihiala and Ogbaru areas of Anambra.

“The operation, conducted with the Department of State Services and other security agencies, also led to the recovery of an FN rifle, pump-action rifle, ammunition, four motorcycles and 15 dynamites.

“Other recovered items included a gas cylinder, batteries and handheld-radio chargers, while the suspected terrorist camps were destroyed,” the report said.

It added that troops of the operation also arrested three suspects during an anti-illegal bunkering operation at Ihie community in Isiala Ngwa North LGA of Abia.

According to the report, troops recovered a vehicle, five motorcycles, jerrycans, suspected illegally refined AGO and N135,000 before destroying an illegal refinery camp.

The report further revealed that troops deployed for Operation SAFE CONDUCT during the Osun Governorship election, apprehended three suspected political thugs at Ikire in Irewole LGA.

It added that the suspects were allegedly detailed by a political party to disrupt the electoral process, with troops recovering a locally fabricated pistol, motorcycle, mobile phones and N163,400.

In the South-South, army said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE discovered 3,100 litres of fuel allegedly siphoned from a pipeline around Eleme refinery in Rivers.

According to the report, the latest operations demonstrate the continued focus on intelligence-led operations to disrupt terrorist groups, criminal networks, illegal economic activities and threats to public safety. (NAN)

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