The Nigerian military has announced that its troops rescued more than 40 kidnapped victims and arrested over 20 suspected terrorists, collaborators, and other criminal elements during coordinated security operations conducted across the country between July 10 and July 16.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, noting that the operations also led to the elimination of several terrorists and the disruption of criminal networks operating in different parts of the country.
According to Onoja, the missions were carried out by troops under Operations Hadin Kai, Fansan Yamma, Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace, Whirl Stroke, Delta Safe, and UDO KA, in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups.
North-East Operations
In the North-East, troops under Operation Hadin Kai received the surrender of 10 family members of suspected terrorists, arrested six suspected logistics suppliers and collaborators, and rescued 13 kidnapped victims.
The troops also thwarted attempted attacks around Maiduguri, neutralised several terrorists during ambush operations, and arrested a suspected foreign spy in Mallam Fatori, Borno State.
North-West Operations
In the North-West, soldiers attached to Operation Fansan Yamma arrested suspected terrorist collaborators, killed three terrorists, and rescued 14 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Zamfara and Kebbi states.
They also recovered vehicles and other items abandoned by fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Savannah Shield rescued four kidnapped victims in Niger and Kwara states. In a separate operation in Kwara, forest guards killed a suspected terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle, magazines, and a locally made Dane gun.
North-Central Operations
Under Operation Enduring Peace, troops arrested suspected arms traffickers in Kaduna State, apprehended wanted criminal suspects in Plateau State, and rescued four kidnap victims after repelling attacks along major highways.
Similarly, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested a suspected ammunition courier in Nasarawa State, where 60 rounds of ammunition were recovered. Four suspected terrorist collaborators were also arrested in Kogi State.
The military further disclosed that security operatives rescued a school principal, a NECO official, and two students who were abducted during an attack on an examination centre in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. According to the military, the victims regained their freedom after sustained security pressure forced the kidnappers to abandon them.
South-South Operations
In the South-South, troops under Operation Delta Safe dismantled several illegal oil refining sites in Rivers State.
The troops also killed two suspected kidnappers in Edo State, recovered three rifles and ammunition, and rescued three abducted persons.
South-East Operations
In the South-East, troops participating in Operation UDO KA arrested suspected members of a proscribed separatist group, recovered arms and ammunition, and rescued two kidnapped victims along the Aba–Port Harcourt Highway.
Commending the troops, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, praised their professionalism and dedication in tackling insecurity across the country.
Onoja added that the CDS also lauded the coordinated intelligence-led operation that secured the unconditional release of the 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State after spending 56 days in captivity.
He urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible and timely information, assuring that military operations would continue until lasting peace and security are restored across the nation.
BACKSTORY:
Nigeria has continued to grapple with widespread insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, oil theft, and separatist violence across several regions of the country. In response, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have sustained coordinated military offensives under various joint operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks, rescuing abducted victims, and restoring peace in affected communities.
These operations include Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East, which targets Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents; Operation Fansan Yamma, focused on combating banditry in the North-West; Operation Savannah Shield and Operation Enduring Peace, which address insecurity in parts of the North-Central; Operation Whirl Stroke, deployed against armed groups in the Middle Belt; Operation Delta Safe, which tackles crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta; and Operation UDO KA, established to counter separatist violence and other security threats in the South-East.
In recent months, the military has intensified intelligence-led operations in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups, leading to the rescue of kidnapped victims, the arrest of suspected terrorists and criminal collaborators, and the recovery of arms, ammunition, and other items used in criminal activities.
Providing an update on these efforts, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, announced that troops rescued more than 40 kidnapped victims and arrested over 20 suspected terrorists, collaborators, and other criminals during nationwide operations conducted between July 10 and July 16. He said several terrorists were also neutralised, illegal refining sites destroyed, and weapons recovered across multiple theatres of operation.
The military said the operations underscore its ongoing commitment to tackling insecurity nationwide and urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence that could aid ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and other violent crimes.
