The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria successfully neutralized numerous terrorists, detained over 40 criminal suspects, and freed at least nine kidnapped individuals in a series of coordinated operations across the nation between May 15 and May 21.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Michael Onoja, shared these updates in an official statement released on Friday in Abuja.
He explained that the week’s military engagements focused heavily on striking insurgent camps, dismantling criminal syndicates, and blocking illegal logistics supply lines throughout various regions.
In the North-East theater, personnel from Operation Hadin Kai neutralized two terrorists within Borno State’s Gwoza Local Government Area and apprehended four individuals suspected of collaborating in cattle rustling schemes. Major-General Onoja added that the pressure from ongoing military actions drove multiple insurgents and their relatives to surrender to forces in Dikwa, a group that included two adult females and seven underage children.
Concurrently in the North-West, troops fighting under Operation Fansan Yamma killed four terrorists and intercepted a suspected gunrunner believed to be delivering arms to bandit factions.
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Alongside rescuing an abducted schoolchild in Katsina State, security forces seized a General Purpose Machine Gun, an AK-47 rifle, and 216 rounds of ammunition. Major-General Onoja further noted that military teams in Zamfara State successfully turned back assaults on local towns and flattened terrorist bases during routine clearance sweeps.
Moving to the North-Central zone, forces engaged in Operations Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace, and Whirl Stroke arrested a variety of suspects, including informants and a gang ringleader. The military confirmed it seized N2.29 million during these raids, which is suspected to be accumulated ransom money. Furthermore, five suspects were taken into custody in Plateau State, seven abducted individuals were freed in Kogi State, and troops in Taraba State neutralized two terrorists while arresting a suspected gunrunner reportedly tied to the supply of 23 AK-47 rifles.
Down in the South-South, operatives from Operation Delta Safe arrested nine individual suspects linked to kidnapping and other offenses across Cross River and Edo states.
These security assets also shut down illegal oil refining stations, recovering roughly 3,000 liters of pilfered crude oil and impounding vehicles used to traffic illegal petroleum goods.
In the South-East, troops attached to Operation Udo Ka took four illegal miners into custody, seized a fabricated firearm, and successfully defused a mob confrontation without suffering any casualties.
In total, the DHQ stated that forces seized an array of weaponry and ammunition through these nationwide operations, including machine guns, G3 rifles, and AK-47 rifles.
Major-General Onoja concluded by stating that the Chief of Defence Staff highly praised the personnel for their professionalism and dedication on the battlefield, while encouraging the general public to keep providing security agencies with trustworthy, actionable intelligence.
