News Investigators/ The Defence Headquarters says troops rescued no fewer than 50 abducted persons, neutralised 36 terrorists and arrested several suspected terrorists and collaborators during operations across the country from Oct. 2 to Oct. 8.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, said this in a statement on Saturday, on ongoing military operations covering the period under review.
Onoja said the troops recorded significant successes across various theatres, including foiling an ISWAP assault on Kukawa, Borno, rescuing 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo and neutralising a senior ISWAP commander in Ondo.
He said troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 26 terrorists during engagements in Borno and Yobe, including 25 who attempted to infiltrate Kukawa town.
According to him, troops also rescued several abductees, including three persons held for seven years, while arresting suspected terrorist collaborators, logistics suppliers and smugglers in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
In the North-West, Onoja said the troops of Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised 10 Lakurawa terrorists during an encounter with a large group of fighters in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi.
He added that troops recovered 17 motorcycles, a machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and a communication device during the operation.
“They also rescued 18 kidnap victims in Katsina and a seven-year-old boy abducted in Kaduna, while arresting suspected terrorists and collaborators.
“In the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka rescued 20 prospective corps members abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo, alongside a local woman abducted while travelling to the market.
“The victims were rescued at Ndegwu Community in Owerri West LGA following sustained pressure by troops and other security agencies,” he said.
The defence spokesman said a combined security team neutralised Abdussamad Ohida, a senior ISWAP commander, in Owo forest, Ondo State, on Oct. 2.
He said Ohida was the deputy to the ISWAP Central Nigeria leader and had assumed leadership of the group following the leader’s arrest by the Department of State Services in 2023.
He said investigations revealed that the commander had been planning large-scale attacks on citizens in some southern states ahead of the forthcoming festive season.
In the North-Central, Onoja said troops of Operation Savannah Shield arrested a wanted terrorist in Niger and rescued three persons who had escaped from their abductors in a forest in Kwara.
He added that troops of Operation Enduring Peace also arrested two suspected kidnappers in Kaduna, while Operation Whirl Stroke recovered illegal firearms and ammunition during raids in Taraba.
In the South-South, Onoja said that troops of Operation Delta Safe discovered three illegal refinery sites in Rivers and recovered about 2,500 litres of suspected stolen Premium Motor Spirit.
He said the successes reflected the military’s sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, rescue abducted citizens and disrupt criminal logistics.
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their courage and professionalism and urged them to remain vigilant as the festive season approaches.
He added that Oluyede also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies and urged community leaders and citizens to report individuals providing support to terrorists and other criminal groups.
NAN
