Nigerian troops have launched a week-long offensive across the country, killing scores of terrorists and rescuing 40 kidnap victims in coordinated operations between August 7 and 13.
The Defence Headquarters said the onslaught also led to the arrest of terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers, plus the recovery of weapons, ammunition, and large volumes of stolen crude oil and illegally refined products.
Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, said the feats came through sustained “aggressive offensive and counter-terrorism operations” designed to degrade networks, disrupt logistics, and deny criminals freedom of action.
North-East: Pressure Forces Surrenders
In Borno and Adamawa, Operation Hadin Kai troops kept up pressure. They neutralised fighters, arrested collaborators, and rescued five female abductees who escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains.
At different locations in Borno, 19 persons including fighters, women, children and teenagers surrendered. They cited food shortages, sustained military pressure and infighting among terrorist factions.
Troops in Nganzai LGA foiled an infiltration attempt, killing one terrorist and recovering an AK-47, ammunition, anti-tank bombs, an RPG launcher and a radio. In Adamawa, members of a terrorist logistics network were arrested, while five suspected collaborators and cattle rustlers were picked up in Borno.
North-West, North-Central: Big Kills And Mass Rescues
Operation Fansan Yamma recorded wins in Zamfara, Kebbi and Katsina. In Zamfara, troops arrested a suspected logistics facilitator with N5.302 million. Two foreign IED experts were also arrested in Zurmi.
The biggest ground fight happened in Makuku Village, Kebbi, where troops killed 18 terrorists. The military said some local security personnel and a civilian were also killed.
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In the North Central, Operation Whirl Stroke rescued 25 victims in Kogi. Sixteen people were freed along Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe axes in Ofu LGA. Nine others were rescued along Ajaokuta-Itobe Road after troops forced kidnappers to abandon them.
In Benue, troops killed an armed herder in Logo LGA and arrested five associates of a wanted kidnap kingpin in Ukum. In Plateau, Operation Enduring Peace rescued a woman abandoned by kidnappers in Bassa. Operation Savannah Shield also rescued nine men in Mariga LGA, Niger State.
Air Strikes, South-South And South-East Gains
The air component struck hard in Niger. On August 9, aircraft hit a large terrorist concentration in Sangeko and Baba-Doka, Mariga LGA. Onoja said about 120 bodies and 300 motorcycles were recovered, with assessment still ongoing. On August 13, another strike on fleeing terrorists with rustled cattle in Maburya reportedly neutralised 46 fighters.
In the South-South, troops rescued a kidnapped farmer unharmed in Edo, killed one abductor and recovered N1.5 million ransom. In Rivers, they seized 24,000 litres of suspected stolen crude, uncovered an illegal refinery in Bonny, and intercepted a speedboat with 17,000 litres of AGO.
Further operations found storage tanks with 60,000 litres and 45,000 litres of stolen crude.
In the South-East, Operation Udo Ka with DSS dismantled a kidnap syndicate across Enugu and neighbouring states. A commander was killed, another arrested, and follow-up raids recovered four AK-47s, seven magazines and 133 rounds.
Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the CDS, commended the troops and urged Nigerians to provide credible information.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains resolute to secure the nation and will not relent until peace and stability are fully restored to all parts of the country,” he said.
