Troops Rescue 117 Hostages, Arrest 150 Terrorists In 1 Week-DHQ

The defence headquarters yesterday said troops on internal operations rescued 117 hostages and arrested 150 criminals in the past one week.

Among those arrested are suspected terrorists, wanted criminals and suspected oil thieves in series of operations across the country.

A statement by the director of defence media operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye said troops’ renewed operational strategy had enabled farmers to carry out farming activities unhindered, adding that such effort would be sustained throughout the farming season and beyond.

In the North East, he said troops arrested 11 terrorists collaborators, rescued five hostages while one terrorist fighter belonging to the Abu Ayuba syndicate surrendered to troops in Kwayari village in Kaga LGA of Borno State on August 20.

He said troops in the North East recovered ammunition, logistics items, illicit drugs, PMS, vehicles, motorcycles and the sum of N70,050.00 while some IEDs were safely detonated in Abadam, Gwoza and Mobbar LGAs of the State.

In the North West, he said troops arrested 35 terrorists and rescued 76 hostages.

The director said the troops recovered arms, ammunition, motorcycle and the sum of N321,000.00 from them.

Relatedly in the North Central, he said troops 49 criminals and rescued 36 hostages.

According to General Kangye, the troops recovered weapons, ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, boefeng radio and the sum of N89,400 cash.

In the same vein, troops in the South East arrested nine suspected IPOB/ESN members in Okigwe,  and Enugu South LGAs of Imo and Enugu States as well as Ohafia and Ihiala LGAs of Abia and Anambra States respectively.

Meanwhile, in the South South, he said troops 48 criminals including 33 suspected oil thieves and destroyed 12 illegal refining sites.

Kangye said troops recovered stolen products worth N443,153,650.00) only.

He gave a  breakdown of recovered products to include; 294,500 litres of stolen crude oil and 188,450 litres of AGO.

He said the troops discovered and destroyed 13 crude oil cooking ovens, 19 dugout pits, 8 boats, 16 storage tanks

Other items recovered include, pumping machines, mobile phones and three tricycles, four vehicles.

“33 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition and some explosives, were also recovered,” he said.

He said troops also arrested 13 suspected criminals and recued two kidnapped victims in Sapele, Aniocha North and Ughelli LGAs of Delta State as well as Ahoada and Onelga LGAs of Rivers State.