Military rescues over 40 kidnap victims, arrests 20 suspected criminals nationwide

THE Nigerian military says troops rescued more than 40 kidnapped victims and arrested over 20 suspected terrorists, collaborators and other criminal suspects in coordinated operations conducted across the country between July 10 and July 16.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, noting that the operations also led to the killing of several terrorists and the disruption of criminal networks operating in different parts of the country.

According to Onoja, the nationwide offensives were carried out under Operations Hadin Kai, Fansan Yamma, Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace, Whirl Stroke, Delta Safe and UDO KA, with troops working alongside other security agencies and local vigilante groups.

In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai received the surrender of 10 relatives of terrorists, arrested 6 suspected logistics suppliers and collaborators, and freed 13 kidnapped victims. The troops also repelled attempted attacks around Maiduguri, killed terrorists during ambush operations and arrested a suspected foreign spy in Mallam Fatori, Borno State.

Operation Fansan Yamma recorded major successes in the North-West, where troops arrested suspected terrorist collaborators, killed 3 terrorists and rescued 14 kidnap victims during separate operations in Zamfara and Kebbi states. Security forces also recovered vehicles and other items abandoned by fleeing suspects.

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Elsewhere, Operation Savannah Shield troops rescued 4 kidnapped victims in Niger and Kwara states. In another operation in Kwara, forest guards neutralised a suspected terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle, magazines and a dane gun.

Troops operating under Operation Enduring Peace arrested suspected arms traffickers in Kaduna State, apprehended wanted criminal suspects in Plateau State and rescued 4 kidnap victims after thwarting attacks along major highways.

In the North-Central region, Operation Whirl Stroke troops arrested a suspected ammunition courier carrying 60 rounds of ammunition in Nasarawa State, while 4 suspected terrorist collaborators were apprehended in neighbouring Kogi State.

The military also secured the rescue of a school principal, a NECO official and two students who were abducted during an attack on an examination centre in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. According to the military, sustained pressure from security forces forced the kidnappers to abandon the victims.

In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe troops dismantled illegal oil refining sites in Rivers State. They also killed two suspected kidnappers in Edo State, recovered 3 rifles with ammunition and rescued 3 abducted persons.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation UDO KA in the South-East arrested suspected members of a banned separatist group, recovered weapons and ammunition, and rescued 2 kidnapped victims along the Aba-Port Harcourt highway.

Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their professionalism and commitment during the operations. He added that the CDS also praised security agencies for the intelligence-led operation that secured the unconditional release of the 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State after spending 56 days in captivity.

The defence spokesman urged Nigerians to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies, assuring that military operations would be sustained until lasting peace and security are restored across the country.