The Nigerian Armed Forces have rescued 11 kidnapped victims and arrested 21 suspected terrorists, collaborators, logistics suppliers and drug peddlers during coordinated security operations across Borno, Zamfara and Kogi states.
Operational reports made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday said the operations, conducted under Operation HADIN KAI, Operation Fansan Yamma and Operation MESA between July 21 and July 22, also resulted in the discovery and destruction of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by terrorists.
According to the reports, troops of Operation HADIN KAI arrested three suspected logistics suppliers linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) around New Abbaram Resettlement Village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military said the suspects were intercepted with items including 3.5 litres of groundnut oil, kola nuts, salt and 76 sachets of coconut flavouring, which were allegedly being transported to terrorists.
The reports further disclosed that troops received two teenage girls who escaped from the Grazah terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains before surrendering to soldiers in Gwoza.
Security forces also located and safely detonated two primed IEDs planted along the Dambua–Bulabulin–Kumala road in Borno.
“Similarly, troops encountered another booby-trap IED along the Cross Kauwa-Kekeno-Monguno road, while fragments were recovered for further forensic analysis,” the report stated.
In a separate operation in Monguno, troops arrested 12 suspected drug peddlers during raids on criminal hideouts.
“In Monguno, troops arrested 12 suspected drug peddlers during raids on criminal hideouts, recovering quantities of cannabis, tramadol and other illicit substances,” the report added.
In Zamfara State, troops under Operation Fansan Yamma engaged suspected terrorists along the Gambada-Gummi-Sokoto road, forcing them to abandon 11 kidnapped victims and flee the scene. A motorcycle was also recovered during the operation.
Meanwhile, in Kogi State, troops arrested a suspected terrorist informant who reportedly confessed to working for a notorious terrorist kingpin identified as Kachallah Babangida.
The reports added that security forces apprehended three other suspected terrorists during separate operations in Adavi and Lokoja Local Government Areas.
“Additionally, troops arrested two suspected logistics couriers transporting food items, drinks and cigarettes allegedly meant for terrorists operating within the state,” the report said.
The military also disclosed that search operations were ongoing to rescue two persons abducted by gunmen in Owo, Ondo State. Troops recovered a bicycle and bags of charcoal abandoned by a fleeing logistics supplier during the operation.
The Armed Forces said the latest operations underscore sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist logistics networks, rescue kidnapped victims and deny criminal elements freedom of movement across various theatres of operation.
