Troops Arrest 20 Terrorists, Rescue 17 Hostages

Troops of the Nigerian Army (NA) have, in multiple operations across the country, neutralised two terrorists, rescued 17 kidnap victims, and arrested 20 suspects.

The soilders, in intelligence-driven operations, also uncovered illegal oil refining sites in the South-South region of the country.

A source at the Nigerian Army Headquarters said three terrorists identified as Fannami Ari (aka Abu Dujana), Hussaini Hassan Modu (aka Abu Yusuf), and another trainee surrendered to troops in Kukawa and Damboa Local Government Areas, citing disillusionment with terrorist leadership and deteriorating living conditions within their enclaves.

According to the source, troops of 192 Battalion, operating in concert with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in the North-East, engaged the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah (JAS) terrorists in fierce combat at Hudugum Village, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The troops neutralised two insurgents during the engagement.

In the North-West, troops of 1 Brigade thwarted two coordinated kidnap attempts in Zamfara State and rescued 11 victims in separate engagements along the Magami–Jan Gemi and Kucheri–Bilbis axes.

The source added that the rescued victims have since been reunited with their families, while troops continue aggressive fighting patrols and clearance operations to deny terrorists freedom of movement and disrupt their logistics corridors.

Similarly, in the North-Central zone, troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) and Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) conducted synchronised clearance raids across Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States, leading to the arrest of 15 suspects implicated in cultism, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and communal clashes.

The troops also rescued four kidnapped victims in Plateau and Taraba States and recovered arms, ammunition, and other incriminating materials from the apprehended suspects.

Meanwhile, in the South-South region, troops of 29 Battalion discovered and dismantled two illegal oil refining camps at Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, effectively disrupting the illicit activities of oil thieves.

In the same vein, troops of 34 Artillery Brigade intercepted 62 sacks of stolen crude oil estimated at over 3,000 litres in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.