The Nigerian Army has sustained nationwide onslaught against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements, neutralising four terrorists and apprehending 53 suspects in recent operations.
A credible source at Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the operations were conducted between Oct. 10 and Oct.13.
He said the operation led to the rescue of nine kidnapped victims and the recovery of arms, ammunition, motorcycles, and over 2,500 litres of stolen crude oil.
According to the source, the operations targeted insurgents’ strongholds, logistics routes, and criminal hideouts across the North East, North Central, North West, South East and South-South regions.
In the North East, he said the troops of 26 Task Force Brigade apprehended two suspected ISWAP/JAS logistics suppliers at Gwoza Wakane in Borno.
He added that the 156 Task Force Battalion nabbed a terrorist spy at Mainok in Kaga Local Government Area.
“Similarly, troops of 1 Battalion (Rear), in collaboration with the NSCDC, apprehended a terrorist collaborator at Augie, Kebbi State, recovering a motorcycle and mobile phone,” he said.
In the North Central, the source revealed that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke raided criminal hideouts at Angwan Kuje in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, nabbed three suspected kidnappers and recovered a motorcycle after an exchange of fire.
He added that troops of 177 Guards Battalion discovered an illegal mining site behind Gurku Hill in Karu Local Government Area and apprehended nine suspects who were handed over to the NSCDC.
“In the South East, troops of 34 Artillery Brigade neutralized one IPOB/ESN member and arrested two others at Mbaïtoli Local Government Area to f Imo, recovering ammunition, mobile phones and charms.
“Likewise, 143 Battalion apprehended an IPOB/ESN logistics supplier at Lokpaukwu in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia, seizing gunpowder, radios and other items.
“Troops of 14 Field Engineer Regiment, Anambra State, also recovered a locally-made pistol, 48 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and walkie-talkies after criminals detonated an IED in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra,” he said.
The source said the troops of 17 Brigade in Katsina State, repelled a terrorist attack at Mabai, neutralising one terrorist and recovered three AK-47 rifles and 11 motorcycles.
In Zamfara, he said the troops of 1 Brigade recovered 18 rustled cattle in Bukkuyum Local Government Area and handed them to local authorities.
He added that troops of 12 Brigade in Kwara rescued nine kidnapped victims along the Egbe–Okoloke–Pategi Road.
In the South-South, he said the troops of 16 Brigade and 29 Battalion uncovered several illegal refining sites in Rivers and Abia States and destroyed over 4,000 litres of stolen crude and illegally refined products.
According to him, troops also arrested 15 drug suspects in joint operations with the NDLEA in Edo and Lagos States, destroyed cannabis farms and handed over exhibits to relevant agencies.
The reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian army to maintaining operational momentum and improving security to enhance economic activities in line with the Federal Government’s food security and stability agenda.
