Military troops kill 36 terrorists, rescue 50 abductees, achieve other successes

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops rescued no fewer than 50 kidnapped individuals, killed 36 terrorists and arrested a number of suspected terrorists and collaborators throughout operations throughout the nation from 2 to eight October.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, a serious basic, mentioned this in a press release on Saturday about ongoing army operations throughout the interval beneath evaluation.

Mr Onoja mentioned the troops recorded important successes throughout numerous theatres, together with foiling an ISWAP assault on Kukawa, Borno, rescuing 20 potential National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo and ‘neutralising’ a senior ISWAP commander in Ondo.

He mentioned troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed 26 terrorists throughout engagements in Borno and Yobe, together with 25 who tried to infiltrate Kukawa city.

According to him, troops additionally rescued a number of abductees, together with three individuals held for seven years, whereas arresting suspected terrorist collaborators, logistics suppliers and smugglers in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

In the North-west, Mr Onoja mentioned the troops of Operation Fansan Yamma killed 10 (*50*) terrorists throughout an encounter with a big group of fighters in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

He added that troops recovered 17 bikes, a machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and a communication system throughout the operation.

“They additionally rescued 18 kidnap victims in Katsina and a seven-year-old boy kidnapped in Kaduna, whereas arresting suspected terrorists and collaborators.

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“In the South-east, troops of Operation Udo Ka rescued 20 potential corps members kidnapped alongside the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo, alongside a neighborhood lady kidnapped whereas travelling to the market.

“The victims were rescued at Ndegwu Community in Owerri West LGA following sustained pressure by troops and other security agencies,” he mentioned.

The defence spokesperson mentioned a mixed safety group killed Abdussamad Ohida, a senior ISWAP commander, in Owo forest, Ondo State, on 2 October.

He mentioned Ohida was deputy to the ISWAP Central Nigeria chief and assumed management after the chief was arrested by the State Security Services in 2023.

He mentioned investigations revealed that the commander had been planning large-scale assaults on residents in some southern states forward of the forthcoming festive season.

In the North-central, Mr Onoja mentioned troops of Operation Savannah Shield arrested a needed terrorist in Niger State and rescued three individuals who had escaped from their abductors in a forest in Kwara State.

He added that troops of Operation Enduring Peace additionally arrested two suspected kidnappers in Kaduna, whereas Operation Whirl Stroke recovered unlawful firearms and ammunition throughout raids in Taraba State.

In the South-south, Mr Onoja mentioned that troops of Operation Delta Safe found three unlawful refinery websites in Rivers and recovered about 2,500 litres of suspected stolen Premium Motor Spirit.

He mentioned the successes mirrored the army’s sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, rescue kidnapped residents and disrupt legal logistics.

Mr Onoja mentioned the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, recommended troops for his or her braveness and professionalism and urged them to stay vigilant because the festive season approaches.

He added that Mr Oluyede, a basic, additionally referred to as for stronger collaboration amongst safety businesses and urged group leaders and residents to report people offering help to terrorists and other legal teams.

(NAN)