The Nigerian military has rescued 119 travellers abducted by terrorists in Borno State, killed several insurgents and destroyed criminal hideouts during operations conducted across the country between November 6 and 12.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a weekly operational update released on Saturday in Abuja. He said the operations also resulted in the rescue of other kidnapped victims, the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators and the recovery of weapons, while dozens of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were cleared.
According to Mr Onoja, troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) rescued the 119 victims, comprising 69 adult males, 35 adult females and 15 children, on November 6 along Dutsen Kura-Bulazarma-Kamuya Road in Buratai, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
He explained that the terrorists abandoned their captives along Mangari-Dora Road while attempting to escape from advancing troops.
The military spokesman said the troops pursued the fleeing terrorists, forcing them to abandon the victims. An IED planted in the area was subsequently discovered.
He noted that the operation reflected the military’s determination to prevent terrorists from abducting civilians and disrupting movement along major roads.
Mr Onoja added that troops rescued other abductees and recovered a vehicle during an encounter with terrorists along Monguno-Maiduguri Road on November 8.
He also disclosed that troops, working alongside local security groups, rescued a woman and two other residents unharmed at Dutse-Uku in Mubi South Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Their vehicles and farm produce were recovered and returned to them.
The defence spokesman said troops sustained offensive operations against terrorist groups across the North-East, disrupting their logistics and support networks.
He revealed that four terrorist fighters and 13 members of their families surrendered at different locations in Borno between November 6 and 8.
One of the fighters reportedly surrendered with an FN rifle and seven rounds of ammunition, while nine family members, including two women, were handed over to Nigerian troops by the Cameroonian Defence Force at Banki.
According to him, the surrendered fighters and their relatives attributed their decision to leave the terrorist groups to sustained military pressure and internal clashes among rival factions.
Mr Onoja further disclosed that troops arrested 15 suspected collaborators, informants and spies at Tashan Kano in Maiduguri and Benisheikh in Kaga Local Government Area. Two other suspects were also apprehended while allegedly transporting supplies to terrorists at Kwatan Turare Gate in Doron Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area.
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued five kidnapped victims during clearance operations in Zamfara State.
He said troops cleared Barayazaki, Gurusu, Gwashi and Nassarawa communities, alongside surrounding forests in Bukkuyum and Anka Local Government Areas, on November 7.
The troops also advanced through Masama Mudi, Gwashi and Tunganyara communities towards parts of Gando Forest, where two abducted persons were rescued.
Three other commuters were subsequently rescued after terrorists attacked their vehicle along Kombo-Gurusu Road in Bukkuyum Local Government Area on November 11. However, the driver was found dead at the scene and his body evacuated.
In Katsina State, troops engaged terrorists riding on two motorcycles at Yarcantar Gora in Malumfashi Local Government Area, killing one of them.
The operation also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, five magazines, 90 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle and three mobile phones.
In Sokoto State, troops arrested two suspected terrorists, identified as a father and his son, at Bauni Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area. An AK-47 rifle was recovered from them.
In the North-Central, Mr Onoja said troops of Operation Enduring Peace continued offensive operations in Plateau and Bauchi states, destroying terrorist camps and recovering weapons and ammunition.
He disclosed that troops cleared terrorist camps at Dajin Madam in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi on November 8, destroying facilities used by the armed groups and forcing them to withdraw.
During a subsequent search of the area, troops recovered 135 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, two motorcycles, radios, mobile phones and camouflage uniforms.
He added that troops killed two terrorists near Kukawa Village and another along the Wanka Village axis in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The defence spokesman said the Emir of Bogwas later handed over six AK-47 rifles and six magazines to troops in Alkaleri. The weapons were reportedly surrendered to the traditional ruler by armed elements following the military operation at Dajin Madam.
He commended the traditional institution for its support towards restoring peace and security.
In another operation, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested two suspected kidnappers during a raid on a hideout around Wayo Community in Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The suspects were allegedly connected to the abduction of a resident at Gada Biyu in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area on November 4.
In Niger State, troops of Operation Savannah Shield intensified clearance operations within Kainji Lake National Park, where they detonated five IEDs, repelled two attacks and killed two terrorists.
The operation also resulted in the arrest of 11 residents suspected of collaborating with terrorists, while six abandoned motorcycles and 10 mobile phones were recovered.
Mr Onoja said the troops subsequently cleared Oli camp and advanced towards Oli River. During a follow-up operation on November 8, they also discovered and cleared 32 additional IEDs along the Dekara-Pana and Audu Fari-Pana routes.
In Oyo State, troops operating within the Old Oyo National Park, in collaboration with local security groups, recovered an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine and a Dane gun after an encounter with suspected terrorists.
They also discovered the body of a suspected criminal and destroyed temporary structures being used as hideouts.
In Kwara State, troops raided the homes of suspected terrorist collaborators in Oke-Ode community, Ifelodun Local Government Area, on November 12, recovering five Dane guns and nine cartridges.
Meanwhile, in the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka foiled an attempted ambush on oil tankers at Awara community in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
Mr Onoja said the troops, acting on intelligence, confronted the suspected cultists and forced them to flee into the forest with gunshot injuries.
The troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, two magazines and 36 rounds of ammunition.
He said troops had maintained their presence in the area to prevent further criminal activities and reassure oil tanker operators of their safety.
The defence spokesman maintained that the operations demonstrated the military’s commitment to restricting the activities of terrorists and other criminal groups across the country.
He praised the troops for their resilience and urged them to maintain professionalism and humane conduct while carrying out their duties.
Mr Onoja also sympathised with the family of the commuter killed during the attack in Bukkuyum, Zamfara State, and wished personnel injured during the operations a quick recovery.
He called on communities to provide security agencies with timely and credible information, stressing that public cooperation was essential to tackling terrorism and other criminal activities.
”Every timely piece of information, reported sighting and refusal to supply or shelter criminals can save lives,” he said.
