The Nigerian Army has neutralised 15 terrorists, arrested 42 criminal suspects, and rescued 30 kidnap victims in a series of recent operations across various regions of the country.

A reliable source at Army Headquarters said on Sunday that the coordinated operations were carried out in the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-West, and South-South zones.

He noted that troops foiled planned attacks by ISWAP and Boko Haram in Borno and Yobe states, specifically in the Dikwa, Gwoza, Bama, Banki, and Gujba areas.

According to him, 15 terrorists were killed, while others fled, leaving behind rifles, ammunition, grenades, explosives, motorcycles, and communication equipment.

The source further stated that in Kaduna State, joint operations with the police and other security agencies led to the arrest of 15 suspects involved in illicit drug activities.

He said 25 suspects were also apprehended in Bayelsa State and two in Delta State in connection with oil theft.

He said in Benue State, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke rescued 27 kidnap victims at Amoda in the Ohimini Local Government Area, while three other victims were freed in separate operations in Borno and Sokoto states following intense gun battles with terrorists.

Additionally, the source said troops uncovered and destroyed illegal crude oil bunkering sites in Imo, Rivers, and Delta states, recovering thousands of litres of stolen petroleum products.

According to him, in Ogun State, a drug syndicate was intercepted with a large quantity of cannabis.

The source reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to maintaining national security and noted the vital role of inter-agency collaboration in tackling terrorism and criminal activities.

He added that those operations were also intended to create safer environments that would support agricultural productivity in line with the Federal Government’s food security agenda.

(NAN)