By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops rescued at least 59 kidnapped victims and neutralised 11 terrorists during operations nationwide between August 14 and August 20.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, said this in a statement on Saturday, on the military’s operational activities across the country during the period.

Onoja said the troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued eight kidnapped victims during the week in the North East.

He said troops also rescued three victims from Gwamnare Forest in Bauchi and one 63-year-old Cameroonian national abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis.

According to him, troops also neutralised three terrorists, recovered weapons and other war materiel, while 47 family members of terrorists and six fighters surrendered to troops in Borno.

In the North-West, Onoja said the troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 28 abducted persons across Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states between August 17 and August 19.

He said the troops also neutralised four terrorists, arrested an explosives courier and other suspected terrorist collaborators, and recovered weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and cash.

He said that the operation further led to the arrest of six suspected informants linked to the abduction of an immigration officer’s family and staff and students of Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda.

“In the North-Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE compelled kidnappers to release 13 victims, comprising two men, five women and six children, in Kogi state.

“The troops also neutralised two suspected criminals, arrested an arms courier and recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and other weapons during separate operations in Taraba and Benue.

“Similarly, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE recovered several firearms, fabricated rifles, Dane guns and ammunition during a raid on suspected criminals in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau.

“In Kwara, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD neutralised one terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle, while seven kidnap victims were rescued during a night patrol in Patigi Local Government Area,” he said.

Onoja said that troops of Operation DELTA SAFE arrested suspected kidnappers and an arms trafficker, recovering seven locally made pistols, ammunition and a camouflage vest in the South-South.

He said that troops also disrupted three illegal refining sites in Rivers, recovering about 85,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.

The defence spokesman said the troops of Operation UDO KA dismantled suspected secessionist camps, recovered weapons and safely cleared multiple improvised explosive devices across Imo, Anambra and Abia in the South-East.

He said the troops also dismantled an illegal bunkering site in Abia, arrested suspects and recovered suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil, motorcycles and a vehicle.

“On August 20, troops conducting clearance operations towards “Mother Valley” in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra cleared 11 IEDs.

“Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy commissioned a solar-powered water project for residents of Ward F2 in Surulere, Lagos, as part of the AFN’s civil-military cooperation initiatives,” he said.

Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their sustained successes in rescuing abducted citizens, neutralising terrorists and degrading criminal networks.

He said that Oluyede also commended the synergy between the military, other security agencies and local security groups, while urging Nigerians and community leaders to continue providing useful information to troops.

“He also appreciated the media for its professionalism and balanced reportage of military operations, assuring Nigerians that the military will sustain the tempo of operations until peace and security are restored nationwide,” he said. (NAN)

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