Military Operations Yield 11 Rescued Victims, 21 Arrests Across Three States

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 11 kidnapped victims and arrested 21 suspected terrorists, collaborators, logistics suppliers and drug peddlers during coordinated operations across Borno, Zamfara and Kogi states.

The operations, conducted between July 21 and 22 under Operations HADIN KAI, Fansan Yamma and MESA, also led to the discovery and destruction of improvised explosive devices planted by terrorists, according to operational reports made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday.

In Borno State, troops of Operation HADIN KAI arrested three suspected Islamic State West Africa Province logistics suppliers around New Abbaram Resettlement Village in Bama Local Government Area.

The Army said the suspects were found with 3.5 litres of groundnut oil, kola nuts, salt and 76 sachets of coconut flavouring, which were allegedly being supplied to terrorists.

Troops also received two teenage girls who escaped from the Grazah terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains and surrendered at Gwoza.

The troops further discovered and safely detonated two primed IEDs reportedly planted by terrorists along the Dambua-Bulabulin-Kumala road, allegedly targeting security personnel and commuters.

Another booby-trap IED was subsequently encountered along the Cross Kauwa-Kekeno-Monguno road, with fragments recovered for forensic analysis.

In Monguno, troops also arrested 12 suspected drug peddlers during raids on criminal hideouts, recovering quantities of cannabis, tramadol and other illicit substances.

In Zamfara State, troops operating under Operation Fansan Yamma engaged terrorists along the Gambada-Gummi-Sokoto road, forcing the criminals to flee and abandon 11 kidnapped victims and a motorcycle.

The rescued victims were subsequently recovered by the troops as the operation continued.

In Kogi State, troops arrested a suspected terrorist informant who reportedly confessed to working for a notorious terrorist kingpin identified as Kachallah Babangida.

The Army also reported the arrest of three suspected terrorists during separate operations in Adavi and Lokoja Local Government Areas.

Two suspected logistics couriers were also apprehended while allegedly transporting food items, drinks and cigarettes believed to be destined for terrorists operating in the state.

Meanwhile, troops continued search operations to rescue two persons reportedly abducted by gunmen in Owo, Ondo State.

During the operation, security forces recovered a bicycle and bags of charcoal allegedly abandoned by a fleeing logistics supplier.

The Army said the latest operations demonstrated the continued efforts of the Armed Forces to dismantle terrorist and criminal logistics networks, rescue kidnapped victims and restrict the freedom of action of criminal elements across the various operational theatres.

The military also reiterated its commitment to sustaining coordinated operations against terrorists, their collaborators and support networks in affected communities.

NAN