The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have announced the elimination of numerous terrorists, the rescue of 67 kidnapped victims, and the arrest of 94 criminal suspects across the country, News Agency of Nigeria reported, underlying the success of a significant two-week offensive operation carried out by the Nigerian military.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Olatokunbo Bello, disclosed these updates on Friday in Abuja, detailing military operations conducted between November 3 and 14.
According to the report, troops recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition, including automatic rifles, machine guns, RPG tubes, and materials for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Multiple criminal camps and logistics bases were also destroyed during the operations.
In the North-east, troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained their offensive in Borno and Adamawa States, killing several Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters. They also apprehended 45 terrorists’ informants and collaborators, and rescued one kidnapped victim.
In the North-west, after a series of engagements across Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina, Kebbi, and Kano States, Operation Fansan Yamma neutralized several terrorists. The forces arrested two suspects, rescued 13 kidnapped victims, and recovered weapons, vehicles, and livestock.
While in the North-central, Operations Enduring Peace and Whirl Stroke were active in responding to attacks and conducting raids. In Plateau and Kaduna States, troops killed extremists, arrested 16 suspects, and rescued five victims. A notable arrest was made on November 9, with the capture of a notorious criminal, Ibrahim Wakili, in Kaduna’s Sanga LGA.
Further successes in Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States led to several criminals killed, 10 suspects arrested, and 48 kidnapped victims rescued. Two gunrunners and two extremist collaborators were also apprehended in Nasarawa State.
Also, in the South-east, troops of Operation Udo Ka maintained pressure on criminal elements in Imo, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States, resulting in one terrorist neutralized and seven others arrested.
In the oil-rich region of Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe foiled oil theft attempts valued at over N15.8 million. The operation led to the discovery and destruction of several illegal refining sites and the arrest of nine suspected oil thieves in Bayelsa and Delta States.
Major General Bello commended the troops for their resilience and continued successes. He also urged the media to persist in disseminating accurate and verified information to support national security efforts.