By Anas Abbas
Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised 17 terrorists, arrested 85 criminal suspects, and rescued 10 kidnapped victims in a series of coordinated operations across the country within the past 48 hours.
A top military source at the Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the operations were carried out across various theatres, yielding significant breakthroughs in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping, and other criminal activities.
According to the source, those arrested include Boko Haram informants, logistics suppliers, terrorist collaborators, drug traffickers, and kidnappers.
The rescued victims have been evacuated and are currently undergoing medical checks and profiling.
In the North-East, troops under Operation “Hadin Kai” sustained offensive operations under Desert Sanity IV and Diligent Search, engaging Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in multiple encounters across Borno and Adamawa States.
The source said troops of the 202 and 222 Battalions successfully repelled an ambush around Goni Kurmi and Kashomri villages in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, killing several insurgents.
Similarly, operatives of the 195 Battalion, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), apprehended a notorious Boko Haram informant and ransom collector at the Customs IDP Camp in Jere.
The suspect was tracked through monitored calls and bank transactions.Troops also recovered an AK-47 rifle stolen by terrorists, rescued two kidnapped escapees, and intercepted three logistics suppliers conveying food items to ISWAP cells in Alagarno.
In Adamawa, troops of 144 Battalion seized seven vehicles and nine motorcycles transporting 368 bags of cement suspected to be heading for terrorist enclaves in Madagali.
Elsewhere, troops recovered N4.77 million, six mobile phones, and two bicycles abandoned by fleeing insurgents along the Maiduguri–Damboa Road.
In the North-West, under Operation Fansan Yamma, troops conducted clearance operations in Sokoto and Zamfara States, arresting 69 suspected drug dealers and five terrorist collaborators.
One civilian injured during a terrorist attack along the Faru–Bagabbuzi Road in Zamfara was also rescued.
In the North-Central region, troops of Operation Enduring Peace rescued a kidnapped victim in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, and recovered several weapons, including two AK-47 rifles, a G3 rifle, a revolver pistol, and over 1,200 rounds of ammunition.
Similarly, Operation Whirl Stroke operatives apprehended two suspected kidnappers in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and destroyed a terrorist camp in Benue.In the South-South, troops of Operation Delta Safe intensified efforts against oil theft.
A patrol team intercepted a wooden boat loaded with 840 litres of illegally refined kerosene in Rivers State and arrested one suspect. Another patrol in Delta State seized a vehicle transporting 2,500 litres of illegal condensate.
Across all operational theatres, troops recovered at least 15 assorted weapons, 21 magazines, and large quantities of ammunition, cash, and logistics materials.
The source reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to sustaining the momentum against terrorists and criminal elements nationwide, adding that troops remain motivated and professional in their conduct.