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

A Nigerian Army Headquarters source said three terrorists identified as Fannami Ari (a.k.a Abu Dujana), Hussaini Hassan Modu (a.k.a Abu Yusuf) and another trainee surrendered to troops in Kukawa and Damboa LGAs of Borno State, 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 a fierce combat at Hudugum Village, Gwoza local government area of the State. Troops in the engagement neutralised two insurgents.

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

He said the rescued victims have since been reunited with their families, while troops maintain aggressive fighting patrols and clearance operations to deny terrorists freedom of movement and disrupt their logistics corridors.

Similarly, in the North-Central zone, he said troops of Operations ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) and 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 kidnapvictims in Plateau and Taraba States, 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 LGA 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 LGA, Imo State.