Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have rescued 14 kidnapped victims, arrested 16 suspected terrorists and collaborators, and recovered arms and drugs across multiple theatres of operation.

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

The military said the achievements were recorded during operations conducted between Aug. 17 and Aug. 18.

It said the kidnapped victims, comprised six males and eight females, from terrorists in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The army said the troops responded to intelligence on the movement of terrorists with kidnapped victims along Madaci Forest at about 5:20 a.m. on Aug. 18.

It added that troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into the forest.

According to the report, preliminary investigation showed that the victims were abducted from different locations within Dandume, Bakori and Funtua areas of Katsina.

“The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to local authorities for reunification with their families,” it said.

In Borno, the army said the troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, supported by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, arrested five suspected terrorist logistics suppliers at Ngurusoye in Bama Local Government Area.

Itadded that troops recovered 65 packs of sweets, 117 biscuits, 167 sachets of salt and other sundry items suspected to be supplies intended for terrorists.

“Also in Borno, troops of 159 Battalion arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators at Maine checkpoint in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe.

“Preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects allegedly provided medical assistance and logistics to wounded terrorists.

“The troops recovered four cards of amoxicillin tablets, two Smartcef injections, three normal saline infusions, seven packs of cigarettes, cannabis and two mobile phones.

“They also recovered a voter’s card, national identity card, ATM card, student identity card and ₦11,500 cash from the suspects,” it said.

The report further revealed that troops of 25 Brigade Provost Company arrested six suspected drug dealers and recovered substances suspected to be marijuana and other hard drugs.

It also revealed that troops of 177 Guards Battalion, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, arrested three suspected drug peddlers during a snap check along the Keffi-Abuja Road in Nasarawa.

According to the report, the suspects were found with substances suspected to be crystal methamphetamine, popularly known as “ice”, and were handed over to the NDLEA.

In Anambra, the military said the troops of 185 Battalion conducted a fighting patrol to a suspected terrorist camp in the Eketutu general area of Ihiala Local Government Area.

It added that troops recovered a pistol, one round of 9mm ammunition and a handheld radio, adding that it subsequently destroyed the suspected terrorist camp in situ.

“Meanwhile, troops conducting follow-up exploitation after the Aug. 15 attack on 162 Amphibious Battalion at Forward Operating Base Mandaragirau in Borno recovered a terrorist corpse and a fabricated ladder,” the report said.

The military said the operations formed part of sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics, deny criminal elements freedom of action and rescue persons held captive across the various theatres. (NAN)

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