By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Troops have rescued 119 travelers abducted by terrorists in Borno, neutralised several insurgents and dismantled criminal hideouts in sustained operations conducted between Nov. 6 and Nov. 12.

This is contained in a weekly update released by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, on Saturday in Abuja.

Onoja said the operations also led to the rescue of other kidnapped victims, arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators, recovery of weapons and clearance of dozens of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

He said the 119 victims, comprising 69 adult males, 35 adult females and 15 children, were rescued on Nov. 6 by troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) along Dutsen Kura-Bulazarma-Kamuya Road in Buratai, Biu Local Government Area of Borno.

He explained that the terrorists abandoned their captives while fleeing along the Mangari-Dora Road following the troops’ intervention.

“Troops immediately mobilised and pursued the terrorists along the Mangari-Dora Road, forcing them to abandon their captives and thereby rescuing 119 victims.

“Troops subsequently discovered an improvised explosive device planted by the terrorists in the area,” he said.

Onoja said the operation demonstrated the military’s determination to deny terrorists the opportunity to abduct civilians and disrupt movement along major routes.

He added that troops also rescued abductees and confiscated a vehicle during an encounter with terrorists along the Monguno-Maiduguri Road on Nov. 8.

The defence spokesman said troops working with local security groups, also rescued a woman and two other residents unharmed at Dutse-Uku in Mubi South Local Government Area of Adamawa.

He added that the troops also recovered the victims’ vehicles and farm produce and returned them to their owners.

Onoja further said that troops sustained pressure on terrorists across the North-East, recording several engagements and disrupting their logistics and support networks.

He disclosed that four terrorist fighters and 13 members of their families surrendered at different locations in Borno between Nov. 6 and Nov. 8.

“One of the fighters surrendered with an FN rifle and seven rounds of ammunition, while nine family members, including two women, were handed over to the Nigerian troops by the Cameroonian Defence Force at Banki.

“The surrendered fighters and their families reportedly attributed their decision to abandon the terrorist groups to sustained military pressure and clashes between rival factions,” he said.

Onoja also disclosed that troops arrested 15 suspected collaborators, informants and spies at Tashan Kano in Maiduguri and Benisheikh in Kaga Local Government Area.

According to him, two other suspects were arrested while allegedly smuggling provisions to terrorists at Kwatan Turare Gate in Doron Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area.

In the North-West, he said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued five kidnapped victims during clearance operations in Zamfara State.

Onoja said troops cleared Barayazaki, Gurusu, Gwashi and Nassarawa communities and adjoining forests in Bukkuyum and Anka Local Government Areas on Nov. 7.

He said the troops advanced through Masama Mudi, Gwashi and Tunganyara communities into parts of Gando Forest, where they rescued two kidnapped victims.

He added that troops also rescued three commuters following an attack along the Kombo-Gurusu Road in Bukkuyum Local Government Area on Nov. 11.

“However, the lifeless body of the vehicle’s driver was recovered from the scene and evacuated.

“In Katsina, troops engaged terrorists on two motorcycles at Yarcantar Gora in Malumfashi Local Government Area, neutralising one terrorist and recovering an AK-47 rifle, five magazines, 90 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle and three mobile phones.

“Troopa also arrested two suspected terrorists, identified as father and son, with an AK-47 rifle at Bauni Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State,” he said.

In the North-Central, Onoja revealed that troops of Operation Enduring Peace sustained offensive operations in Plateau and Bauchi states, destroying terrorist camps and recovering weapons and ammunition.

He said troops cleared terrorist camps at Dajin Madam in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi on Nov. 8, destroying life-support structures and forcing the armed elements to withdraw.

According to him, during exploitation of the area, troops recovered 135 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, two motorcycles, radios, mobile phones and camouflage uniforms.

He said troops also neutralised two terrorists near Kukawa Village and another terrorist along the Wanka Village axis in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau.

The Defence spokesman added that the Emir of Bogwas subsequently handed over six AK-47 rifles and six magazines to troops in Alkaleri.

He said the weapons had been surrendered to the traditional ruler by armed elements following the military operation at Dajin Madam.

Onoja commended the traditional institution for supporting efforts to restore peace and security.

In another operation, he said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested two suspected kidnappers during a raid on a hideout around Wayo Community in Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa.

According to him, the suspects were allegedly linked to the abduction of a resident at Gada Biyu in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area on Nov. 4.

“In Niger State, troops of Operation Savannah Shield intensified clearance operations in Kainji Lake National Park, where they detonated five IEDs, repelled two probing attacks and neutralised two terrorists.

“The troops also arrested 11 locals suspected of collaborating with terrorists and recovered six abandoned motorcycles and 10 mobile phones,” he said.

Onoja said troops subsequently cleared Oli camp and advanced towards Oli river.

He added that troops cleared 32 additional IEDs along the Dekara-Pana and Audu Fari-Pana axes during a follow-up operation on Nov. 8.

In Oyo State, Onoja said troops operating in the Old Oyo National Park, in collaboration with local security groups, recovered an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine and a Dane gun following an encounter with suspected terrorists.

He said that they also discovered the body of a suspected criminal and destroyed temporary shelters used as hideouts.

In Kwara, he said troops raided suspected terrorist collaborators’ residences at Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun Local Government Area on Nov. 12, recovering five Dane guns and nine cartridges.

“In the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka foiled an attempted ambush on oil tankers at Awara community in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo,” he added.

Onoja said troops, acting on intelligence, engaged the suspected cultists and forced them to flee into the forest with gunshot wounds.

He said the troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, two magazines and 36 rounds of ammunition.

He said troops had continued to dominate the area to prevent further criminal activities and reassure oil tanker operators of their safety.

The defence spokesman said the operations demonstrated the military’s resolve to deny terrorists and other criminal groups freedom of action across the country.

He commended troops for their resilience and urged them to sustain professionalism and humane conduct during operations.

Onoja also expressed condolences to the family of the commuter killed during the attack in Bukkuyum, Zamfara, and wished personnel wounded during the operations speedy recovery.

He urged communities to support security agencies with timely and credible information, stressing that public cooperation remained critical to defeating terrorism and other criminal activities.

“Every timely piece of information, reported sightings and refusal to supply or shelter criminals can save lives,” he said. (NAN)