Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded another round of success in their amplified onslaught against terrorists and other non-state actors across the country.

A highly reliable source told The Nation on Friday that troops have arrested a suspected terrorist leader, Malam Abubakar Ahmadu, in Niger State, along with 60 other criminal elements across the country, during operations conducted from September 15 to 17.

A weapons fabricator, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) logistics suppliers, and drug peddlers were arrested, while various high-calibre weapons and other items were recovered.

According to the military source, the terrorist leader and two other accomplices were arrested on September 17 by the 31 Military Intelligence Regiment and 313 Artillery Regiment, at Tungan Mallam market in Paikoro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The source also revealed that intensified pressure on terrorist logistics networks by the 29 Task Force Brigade and 117 Task Force Battalion, during operations on September 15 and 16, resulted in the arrest of five Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP/JAS) logistics suppliers in Benisheikh market, Kaga Local Government Area, and at Kautikari village in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State.

He said, “In separate operations, troops at Nguru, Yobe State, intercepted four suspects transporting large quantities of fabrics, fertilizer, solar panels, and drugs intended for terrorist use. Another suspect was arrested in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area, with assorted drugs, while follow-up operations led to the arrest of two accomplices.

“Furthermore, troops arrested a suspected terrorist spy in Monguno town, Borno State, who confessed to being part of a 10-man team tasked with kidnapping victims for the insurgents.”

According to the military source, ongoing counter-criminality operations in Adamawa State also yielded significant gains, with troops from the 232 Battalion, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), arresting five suspects during a raid on a large Indian hemp farm in Kwaji village, Mubi North Local Government Area.

On successes in the North West zone, the source said that troops of Defence Headquarters Special Operations Forces and 312 Artillery Regiment recovered one AK-47 rifle with 25 rounds, five cows, 15 rams, and other items after dispersing insurgents, during offensive operations around Kajuru Local Government Area. He said troops in Yuna village, Giwa Local Government Area, recovered motorcycles and arrested two suspects linked to bandit groups.

“In all, troops in Kaduna State neutralized terrorists in, rescued kidnap victims, and recovered a total of at least 14 weapons, various calibres of ammunition, motorcycles, livestock, and other logistics items.”

The military source revealed that troops also recorded significant strides in the North Central zone, arresting 11 suspected kidnappers in Ruga settlement at Wildlife Park, Jos South Local Government Area, rescue of a female kidnap victim in Riyom Local Government Area, and arresting 25 suspected drug leaders in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

“ln a related development troops of Sector 4 Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) raided a weapons fabrication factory at Heipang District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, arresting a fabricator and recovering 12 assorted fabricated weapons, a pistol, 19 PKT rounds, cartridges, other calibres of ammunition, a smoke grenade, two fragmental jackets, and communication devices,” he said.

“Additionally, in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, troops arrested three extremist logisticians and seized motorcycles, phones, and cutlasses.”

According to the military source, troops in the South-South region continue to sustain pressure on illegal bunkering and refining activities, destroying illegal refining sites, recovering stolen crude oil and illicitly refined petroleum products, and rescuing kidnap victims.

He said, on September 16, troops of 5 Battalion with personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) discovered illegal refining sites at Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, while 103 Battalion and 6 Division Anti-Bunkery team intercepted 450 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel fuel, at Ogbogolo community in Rivers State.

Likewise, on September 17, troops of Joint Task Force Operation DELTA SAFE in collaboration with Tantita Security Services, intercepted a boat laden with 500 litres of suspected stolen crude oil in Degema Local Government Area.

“In Edo State, troops of 4 Brigade rescued a kidnap victim at Emu community, Esan South East Local Government Area, forcing the kidnappers to abandon their mission,” the military source said. (The Nation)