The Defence Headquarters says troops have sustained nationwide operations, rescuing scores of kidnap victims, killing suspected terrorists and arresting criminal suspects across multiple theatres between in the last one week.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on the weekly operational activities of the Armed Forces on Saturday in Abuja.

Mr Onoja said the operations also led to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, communication devices, vehicles and other items of operational interest.

He said that in Kwara State, troops of Operation Savannah Shield, working with local security groups, rescued 18 residents abducted from their farmlands in the Eruku-Egbe-Koro Forest area of Ekiti Local Government Area on October 10.

Mr Onoja said the troops pursued the abductors, who abandoned the victims and fled into the forest, adding that two AK-47 magazines containing four rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered.

According to him, in Edo State, troops of Operation Delta Safe rescued two abductees in separate operations on October 11.

“The first victim, Mrs Halima Ibrahim, was rescued along the Okene-Okpella Road after suspected kidnappers fled on sighting the troops.

“The second victim, Prince Michael Akao was rescued in a separate operation in Sasaro Forest, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area. Three suspected kidnappers were neutralised during the operation.

“The troops also recovered three locally fabricated firearms, nine cartridges and other items.”

The director of defence media operations further said that in the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained operations against terrorists and their support networks in Borno and Adamawa states.

“On October 15, troops rescued two abducted persons, identified as Bello Ibrahim and Ibrahim Adamu around the Kuranabasa axis in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno.

“Earlier, troops repelled a terrorist attack in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa, neutralising one suspected terrorist and recovering an AK-47 rifle,” he said.

Mr Onoja stated that subsequent exploitation led to the recovery of additional weapons, ammunition and other equipment, while four bodies of suspected terrorists were discovered during patrols.

He added that the operations also resulted in the surrender of suspected terrorists and their family members, alongside the arrest of suspected logistics suppliers and collaborators in Borno State.

In the North-West, Onoja said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma sustained operations in Kaduna and Sokoto states, killing suspected terrorists and recovering rifles and ammunition.

He also revealed that troops rescued a kidnapped person abandoned by fleeing suspects in the Galadimawa area and arrested a suspect in Kaduna over alleged kidnapping, extortion, sexual assault and killings.

“In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace arrested suspected arms fabricators, traffickers and other criminal suspects during operations in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Bassa local government areas.

“The troops recovered locally fabricated firearms, an AK-47 barrel, a magazine and 42 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm ammunition,” he said.

He added that in the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka arrested three suspects, including a suspected IPOB kingpin, in Atan-Ihechiowa village, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia.

According to him, two motorcycles and cash were recovered, while another suspected IPOB member was handed over to troops by local security volunteers in Anambra.”

Mr Onoja quoted the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, as commending security agents for their resilience and urged them to sustain operational momentum and vigilance.

He called on security agencies to strengthen intelligence sharing and urged traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to support efforts to identify and expose criminal elements.

The defence spokesman also urged the media to ensure accurate reporting that supports public understanding and national security.

(NAN)