By Emmanuel Huleji Daudu
The Armed Forces of Nigeria have rescued 18 kidnapped victims in Kwara State, arrested suspected terrorists and criminal collaborators, and recovered weapons and ammunition in coordinated operations across the country.
The operations, conducted between October 9 and 15, also led to the rescue of other abducted persons, the surrender of suspected terrorists and their family members, and the neutralisation of suspected terrorists and kidnappers in various theatres of operation.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement detailing the military’s operational activities during the period under review.
In Kwara State, troops of Operation Savannah Shield, working with local security groups, rescued 18 residents abducted from their farmlands in the Eruku–Egbe–Koro Forest area of Ekiti Local Government Area.
Onoja said the troops responded to a distress call on October 10 and pursued the abductors, who abandoned their victims and fled into the forest.
The troops also recovered two AK-47 magazines containing four rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
In Edo State, troops of Operation Delta Safe rescued two abducted persons in separate operations. The victims, identified as Mrs Halima Ibrahim and Prince Michael Akao, were rescued along the Okene–Okpella Road and in Sasaro Forest, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, respectively.
Three suspected kidnappers were neutralised during the operation in Sasaro Forest, while three locally fabricated firearms, nine cartridges and other items were recovered.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained offensive operations against terrorist groups and their logistics networks in Borno and Adamawa states.
The military said several suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers were arrested in Monguno, Gubio and Benisheikh, while individuals associated with terrorist groups surrendered to troops at different locations.
Among those who surrendered was Abacha Akura, who reportedly escaped from a terrorist camp at Tumbunma Village, near Bukar Meriam in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State. He surrendered to troops in Monguno on October 13 with an AK-101 rifle and 31 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition.
Another individual, Abba Bukar, surrendered in Monguno on October 15 after escaping from the same location.
The statement added that troops received two suspected terrorist fighters and their spouses at Bama Local Government Area on October 14, alongside two AK-47 rifles, four magazines and 14 rounds of ammunition. Eight additional terrorist family members also surrendered at Banki Junction in the same local government area.
In Adamawa State, troops repelled an attack by terrorists approaching from the Lar axis in Hong Local Government Area, neutralising one of the attackers.
A subsequent search of the area yielded a PKT machine gun, six AK-47 rifles, 11 magazines, ammunition, a 60mm mortar bomb and other military equipment. Four additional terrorist bodies were discovered during patrols.
The troops also rescued two abducted persons, identified as Bello Ibrahim and Ibrahim Adamu, around the Kuranabasa axis of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State on October 15.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma intensified operations against kidnapping networks and armed groups in Kaduna and Sokoto states.
According to Onoja, troops operating around Galadimawa on October 9 forced three suspected terrorists to abandon a kidnapped person as they fled from advancing soldiers.
In another operation in Kaduna State, troops recovered an AK-47 rifle and 15 rounds of ammunition following an attack on a resident travelling from Dogon Dawa to Takama Village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area.
A suspect, Yusuf Iliya Sani, was subsequently arrested at Maraban Kakini over alleged involvement in kidnapping, extortion, sexual assault and killings in the area.
In Sokoto State, troops responding to a distress call at Soruro Village, Tangaza Local Government Area, neutralised one suspected terrorist and recovered an AK-pattern rifle, a magazine and 27 rounds of ammunition.
A separate clearance operation in Waria Forest, also in Tangaza, resulted in the neutralisation of another suspected terrorist and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and two magazines.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace arrested a suspected arms fabricator and three other suspects during operations in Mangu and Barkin Ladi local government areas.
Items recovered included a locally fabricated revolver rifle, a fabricated pistol, an AK-47 barrel, a magazine and 42 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm rimmed ammunition.
The troops also arrested a suspect, Yusuf Suleiman, at Barkin Ladi Main Market over alleged links to the September 24 attack on Kassa community, as well as suspected involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery and the killing of a resident identified as Mr Gyang.
Two additional suspects were arrested during a raid on a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Bassa Local Government Area.
In Niger State, troops of Operation Savannah Shield received the surrender of Sidi Kamaki at Audu Fari, Borgu Local Government Area.
The individual reportedly claimed to have spent about two years with an armed group he described as part of Darul Salam associated with the Shekau faction, and to have participated in six operations in Borgu and the Republic of Benin.
Meanwhile, in the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka arrested three suspects in Atan–Ihechiowa Village, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, on October 14.
The suspects were identified as Ozioma Mark, described by the military as a suspected IPOB kingpin, Kalu Obasi and Kamba Igwu Ogbonna. Two motorcycles and cash were recovered during the operation.
A suspected IPOB member was also handed over to troops by local security volunteers at Lilu, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended troops for their resilience and urged them to sustain the operational tempo while remaining vigilant against threats to national security.
He called on security agencies to strengthen intelligence sharing and cooperation, while urging traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to support military operations by providing credible information on criminal activities.
The Defence Chief also appealed to the media to ensure accurate and patriotic reportage, stressing that national security required collective responsibility and sustained collaboration among security agencies and communities.
Onoja, who signed the statement on October 16, said the Armed Forces remained committed to protecting lives and property, disrupting criminal networks and restoring security across the country.
