Troops of the Nigerian military have rescued seven kidnapped victims, neutralised two kidnappers and arrested four suspected ISWAP terrorists and collaborators during coordinated operations across Borno, Yobe, Benue and Plateau states.
According to operational reports obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued two women and two minors who escaped from an ISWAP enclave in the Agapalawa area of the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The report also disclosed that a woman and her child, believed to be relatives of an ISWAP fighter, surrendered to troops after fleeing the Gobara enclave in the Sambisa Forest.
In separate operations carried out with the support of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), troops arrested four suspected ISWAP terrorists in Gwoza, Gujba and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno and Yobe states.
One of the suspects reportedly confessed to spying on troops conducting clearance operations along the Baga–Cross Kauwa road and supplying logistics to terrorists.
The military also foiled an attempt by ISWAP fighters to infiltrate Kirawa in Gwoza, forcing them to abandon a motorcycle, while a Nigerian Air Force aircraft later neutralised another terrorist advancing towards Marte.
Troops further discovered and safely detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) planted along the Maiduguri-Gamboru highway in Dikwa Local Government Area, preventing a possible attack on commuters.
In Benue State, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE, working alongside local hunters and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, rescued four kidnapped victims and killed two kidnappers during clearance operations in Katsina-Ala.
Security operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle, one G3 rifle, one pistol, 221 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, magazines, military camouflage uniforms and a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal from the kidnappers’ hideout.
The report added that five suspected militia members were arrested during follow-up raids on criminal hideouts in Otukpo Local Government Area, where troops also recovered a Dane gun and ammunition.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE recovered a locally fabricated rifle and ammunition from a suspected terrorist hideout in the Agingi-Dogon Dutse mountainous area of Bassa Local Government Area.
The military also intercepted 15 jerrycans of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Mubi North Local Government Area, while troops of Operation DELTA SAFE dismantled an illegal refining site and recovered equipment used for crude oil theft in Rivers State.
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