The Defence Headquarters has said troops neutralised no fewer than 224 terrorists, arrested more than 423 suspects and rescued 279 kidnapped victims during coordinated military operations across the North-West and North-Central regions in the second quarter of the year.
The disclosure was made on Wednesday in Abuja by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, while briefing journalists on the operational activities of the Armed Forces for the period under review.
Onoja said the achievements were recorded through sustained offensive operations, intelligence-led raids, anti-kidnapping missions and arms interdiction conducted under various theatres of operation, including Operation Fansan Yamma, Operation Savannah Shield, Operation Enduring Peace and Operation Whirl Stroke.
He explained that in the North-West, troops under Operation Fansan Yamma operating in Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara recorded significant gains against insurgents.
“troops of Operation Fansan Yamma in Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara neutralised 77 terrorists, arrested 210 suspects, rescued 153 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of one terrorist during the quarter.”
According to him, the troops also recovered a wide cache of weapons and ammunition, including PKT machine guns, AK-47 rifles, RPG launcher tubes, improvised explosive device chargers, motorcycles and large quantities of ammunition.
He further revealed that a major breakthrough was recorded with the arrest of a terrorist kingpin who had disguised himself as a trader at Shinkafi market, while security forces also intercepted over 1,000 rounds of ammunition concealed in a vehicle along the Gusau–Shinkafi road.
Onoja added that intelligence-driven raids led to the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators at Gusau International Airport, as well as the interception of logistics suppliers transporting 69 jerry cans of fuel allegedly destined for terrorist groups.
In the North-Central region, he said troops under Operation Savannah Shield recorded notable successes against criminal networks.
“According to him, troops of Operation Savannah Shield recorded the neutralisation of 24 terrorists, arrested 48 suspects and rescued eight kidnapped victims during the quarter.”
He said the operation, which covers Niger, Kwara, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory, disrupted several terrorist networks through targeted patrols, ambushes and intelligence-led arrests.
Onoja also noted that some of those arrested included informants and relatives of notorious terrorist leaders, whose interrogation had continued to yield actionable intelligence for ongoing operations.
In the Plateau and Southern Kaduna axis, troops under Operation Enduring Peace also recorded operational gains.
He said they neutralised terrorists, arrested suspected kidnappers and rescued victims along key transit routes, while also recovering arms and ammunition.
He added that among those arrested was a dismissed police inspector allegedly found in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
In the North-Central corridor, Operation Whirl Stroke recorded further successes.
“troops of Operation Whirl Stroke operating in Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba neutralised 37 terrorists, arrested 86 suspects and rescued 59 kidnapped victims during the quarter.”
Onoja said the troops also disrupted illegal arms supply chains, intercepting weapons, explosives and ammunition intended for criminal groups, while several suspected kidnappers and terrorist informants were apprehended.
Beyond the North-West and North-Central theatres, he disclosed that troops operating in the South-South and parts of the South-East intensified operations against kidnappers, oil thieves and economic saboteurs.
“According to him, during the period, troops neutralised six criminals, arrested 53 suspects, dismantled seven illegal refining sites and recovered more than 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products.”
He added that several kidnapping syndicates were dismantled in Edo and Cross River States, with victims rescued during coordinated operations.
Reaffirming the military’s position, Onoja said the Armed Forces remain committed to sustaining offensive operations across all theatres in order to consolidate national security gains.
“According to him, troops also arrested informants and relatives of notorious terrorist leaders whose interrogation had yielded valuable intelligence for ongoing operations.”
He concluded that the ongoing operations would be intensified to ensure lasting peace and security across the country.
