Military personnel free 327 abducted hostages, eliminate 10 insurgents across the country — Defence Headquarters

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Defence Headquarters

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By Kingsley Omonobi

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ABUJA — The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, on Friday disclosed that troops rescued 327 kidnapped victims and neutralised 10 terrorists during various military operations conducted across the country in the last one week.

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The military said most of the rescued victims were recovered from captivity in the North-West and North-Central regions.

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Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja, said the achievements reflected the professionalism and commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to restoring peace and security nationwide.

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According to him, troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East recorded several successes during the period under review.

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He said troops on May 24 conducted a fighting patrol in response to gunshots at Akate in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State, where two terrorists were neutralised.

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Items recovered, according to him, included one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and two mobile phones.

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Onoja further disclosed that a suspected terrorist collaborator identified as Alhaji Gambo was arrested in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State during a routine check.

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He added that one family member of a suspected terrorist later escaped from the Kimbe enclave in Gwoza Local Government Area and surrendered to troops, citing sustained military pressure and harsh conditions within the camp.

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The Defence spokesman also said troops at Lima in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State engaged terrorists attempting to regroup along the Bam-Buratai axis, neutralising five insurgents during the operation.

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He added that troops, in conjunction with hunters, also ambushed terrorists along the Damaturu-Buni Yadi Road in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, killing four terrorists and recovering one AK-47 rifle.

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In the North-West, Onoja said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma arrested a suspected member of the Lakurawa terrorist group in Kebbi State.

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According to him, photographs of armed terrorists were discovered on the suspect’s mobile device during preliminary investigation.

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He further disclosed that troops neutralised two terrorists during operations in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State and recovered fabricated rifles, motorcycles and destroyed makeshift camps.

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In Katsina State, he said troops killed a suspected terrorist identified as Mallam Mau’re, said to be a foot soldier of a notorious kingpin, Muhammadu Fulani.

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Recovered items included an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and a motorcycle.

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Onoja said troops at the Forward Operating Base, Bagega, also rescued 31 kidnapped victims along the Bagega-Kawaye Road in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State after victims escaped following an airstrike by Nigerian Air Force helicopter gunships.

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In the North-Central, the Defence spokesman said troops of Operation Savannah Shield rescued 148 kidnapped victims, mostly women and children, from terrorists operating around Kuyambana Forest in Zamfara State.

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He said preliminary investigations revealed that the victims were abducted over three months ago from Galma Village in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

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The victims were later handed over to local authorities in Bangi for reunification with their families.

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He also disclosed that troops of Operation Enduring Peace rescued two injured victims following an attack on Lusuru Village in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

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According to him, troops later tracked and neutralised a notorious kidnap kingpin identified as Idi Yaya during an operation at Kikoba in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

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On operations in Benue State, Onoja said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke recovered suspected illicit drugs, cash and vehicles linked to drug trafficking syndicates in Makurdi following follow-up raids.

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In the South-South, he said troops of Operation Delta Safe, in collaboration with police and other security agencies, conducted clearance operations in Edo State, leading to the arrest of one suspect and recovery of locally made guns.

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He added that troops later neutralised a suspected kidnapper during an ambush operation along the Ohe-Uzea Road in Esan North-East Local Government Area.

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Recovered items included cartridges, knives, ropes, hard drugs, phones, ATM cards and cash.

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In the South-East, Onoja said troops of Operation Udoka arrested a suspected IPOB/ESN kingpin identified as Chinedu Opete, alias “Dragon,” during a raid operation in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

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He said troops also arrested two suspects in Abia State allegedly involved in attempts to abduct female farmers and steal farm produce.

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The Defence spokesman said the Armed Forces remained committed to combating terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of criminality across the country.

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“The operational achievements recorded are a clear demonstration that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain fully committed to restoring and sustaining peace across every part of Nigeria,” he said.

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He urged Nigerians to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies, assuring that all information received would be treated confidentially and acted upon promptly.

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