The Nigerian Defence Headquarters says that 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.
Speaking on the ongoing military operations covering the period under review, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, stated in a statement on Saturday that the troops recorded significant successes across various theatres.
The theatres, according to him, included foiling an ISWAP assault on Kukawa, Borno, rescuing 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo state and neutralising a senior ISWAP commander in Ondo State.
He said that troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 26 terrorists during engagements in Borno and Yobe States, including 25 who attempted to infiltrate Kukawa town.
According to him, the 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 States.
Onoja explained that in the North-West, 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 State.
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 that a combined security team neutralised Abdussamad Ohida, a senior ISWAP commander, in Owo forest, Ondo State, on Oct. 2.
He explained that 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 that 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 that 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 State.
He added that the 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 that the successes reflected the military’s sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, rescue abducted citizens and disrupt criminal logistics.
Onoja said that the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended the 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.
GIK/APA