The Nigerian Armed Forces have intensified operations against terrorist supply networks, arrested suspected arms dealers, logistics suppliers and collaborators, as well as recovered thousands of rounds of ammunition, weapons, motorcycles and other items used to sustain criminal activities across the country.
The military said its operations, conducted across several geopolitical zones in one week, also resulted in the neutralisation of 60 terrorists, rescue of 42 kidnapped victims and surrender of more than 15 fighters and their family members.
Michael Onoja, the director of defence media operations, disclosed this in an operational update, saying troops recorded successes across the North-East, North-West, North-Central and South-East geopolitical zones.
He said the operations targeted terrorist enclaves, arms supply networks, kidnappers’ hideouts and suspected collaborators, while troops also intercepted individuals allegedly supplying logistics to criminal groups operating around Nigeria’s borders.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai arrested 50 suspected terrorists, collaborators and logistics suppliers, including individuals allegedly providing supplies and intelligence to terrorist groups.
Among those arrested were suspected suppliers and informants intercepted at Benisheikh in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State on October 31 and November 2.
Onoja said troops also intercepted three suspected suppliers at Damboa and two suspected fighters from the Diffa region of Niger Republic at Garin Gada in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State on November 3.
The suspects were allegedly attempting to procure logistics for terrorists operating along the Nigeria-Niger border.
Troops and operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency conducted search operations at several motor parks in Maiduguri on November 5, leading to the arrest of 36 suspects.
The military said the operation was aimed at identifying and dismantling channels through which terrorist groups obtain supplies and other operational support.
The crackdown on terrorist logistics networks came alongside major military engagements in Borno and Yobe states, where troops neutralised more than 50 terrorists while repelling attacks on military positions.
Onoja said troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelled terrorists who approached Buni Yadi in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State from the Timbuktu Triangle axis on October 29.
A follow-up operation on October 30 led to the recovery of 48 terrorist bodies, 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, four general-purpose machine guns, one 60mm mortar, 105 magazines and two video cameras.
On October 31, troops operating around Apama and Jauro Bashir, along the terrorists’ withdrawal route, recovered three additional bodies, an AK-47 rifle and 188 rounds of ammunition.
At Bitta in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, troops also repelled an attempted infiltration of a military position by terrorists on October 31.
Subsequent exploitation of the area led to the recovery of seven terrorist bodies, four AK-47 rifles, an RPG tube, four RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, a PKM machine gun and a radio.
The military also recorded the surrender of 12 terrorist fighters and their family members between November 2 and 4 at New Abaram Resettlement Village, Banki Junction in Bama Local Government Area and near Ngurusoye in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to Onoja, the surrendering individuals cited sustained military pressure and disagreements between rival Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) factions.
Troops also rescued a female abductee who escaped from the Mandara Mountains at Hudugum, Hambagda, along the Gwoza-Limankara Road on November 2.
In the North-Central, troops intensified operations against kidnapping and arms supply networks, particularly in Kogi, Niger, Kwara and Benue states.
Onoja said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke conducted a fighting patrol to a criminal hideout in Edimogbo Forest on November 2, where they engaged suspected kidnappers who fled into the forest.
“A search of the hideout led to the recovery of 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, seven bandoliers, six motorcycles and a mobile phone. The hideout was subsequently destroyed.
“During further patrols on November 3, troops engaged two suspected kidnappers and neutralised them, recovering two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition.
“On November 4, troops operating in Obele Forest neutralised three suspected kidnappers and recovered four AK-47 rifles, 12 magazines, 336 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and three bandoliers.
“The recovery of thousands of rounds of ammunition from the two forest locations highlights the scale of weapons and ammunition stockpiles allegedly maintained by criminal groups operating in the region”, Onoja reported.
In another operation in Kogi State, a terrorist, his wife and two children surrendered to troops at Atsawa in Lokoja Local Government Area on November 4.
They surrendered with an AK-47 rifle, four rounds of ammunition and a radio, attributing their decision to sustained military offensives against terrorist camps in Agbaja and Kakanda forests.
Troops also arrested a suspected logistics supplier at Jamata in Lokoja Local Government Area on the same day.
The suspect allegedly confessed to conveying supplies to terrorists loyal to the late Kachallah Baccujo operating in Agbaja Forest.
In Benue State, troops arrested a suspected gunrunner in Gboko Local Government Area on November 5.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Savannah Shield rescued 15 kidnapped victims during an operation around Rijiyan Nagwamatse in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State on November 5.
The troops, who had sustained patrols in the area, engaged suspected bandits and recovered two AK-47 rifles, seven rifle magazines, three RPG bombs, 33 motorcycles, N4.105 million and ammunition.
In Kwara State, troops and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria ambushed Ansaru terrorists who invaded Nanu Village in Kaiama Local Government Area on November 4, neutralising two of them.
Troops also rescued three kidnapped victims who escaped from their captors during a fighting patrol in Lema-Ndeji Forest in Edu Local Government Area on the same day.
The North-West also recorded a series of rescue operations targeting kidnapping networks, with troops of Operation Fansan Yamma recovering 18 abducted victims in separate operations in Kebbi and Zamfara states.
On October 30, troops responded to a distress call from Ribah in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State and cleared the Ribah-Dirindaji Road.
A subsequent search-and-rescue operation and night pursuit towards Rambo Village forced terrorists to abandon seven kidnapped victims.
On October 31, troops patrolling the Wasagu-Falfala Road in the same local government area responded to an ambush, forcing the attackers to flee and abandon four victims abducted from their farms in Wasagu Village.
Onoja said troops also rescued seven kidnapped victims from Sabon Tunga and Binoni villages in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area on November 3, following search-and-rescue operations around Geso and Ayan Geso in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
In Kaduna State, troops arrested two suspects allegedly involved in kidnapping and cattle rustling at Sabon Gida Village in Chikun Local Government Area on November 2.
Troops and operatives of the Department of State Services also apprehended a suspected terrorist at a clinic in Kagarko Local Government Area on November 5.
The suspect reportedly sneaked into the facility to receive treatment for gunshot wounds sustained during a clash with a rival faction.
In the North-Central, troops of Operation Enduring Peace intercepted a suspected terrorist during stop-and-search operations at Kukawa Village in Kanam Local Government Area on November 4.
The suspect was found with an AK-47 magazine and a round of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Preliminary interrogation reportedly indicated that he belonged to a terrorist syndicate allegedly led by an individual identified as Kaura.
Troops also responded to a kidnapping incident at Jeb Jeb Village in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State on November 4, rescuing six civilians, including a baby, after engaging the attackers.
On November 1, troops arrested a wanted member of the Konyo Boys bandit group at Ahmadu Village in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The suspect reportedly led troops to a hut where an AK-47 rifle and a mobile phone were recovered.
In the South-East, troops of Operation Udoka sustained operations against armed groups and recovered weapons, rescuing a kidnapped victim in Abia State.
Onoja said troops rescued the victim at Isuochi on November 4 following an attack by gunmen on a compound at Okwe Ubahu Nneato in Umunneochi Local Government Area.
In Anambra State, troops on November 2 searched a shop near the Marine Outpost at Otuocha in Anambra East Local Government Area following intelligence that a suspect was allegedly concealing weapons used to intimidate members of the community.
The operation resulted in the recovery of a pump-action rifle, a damaged hunting rifle and 13 cartridges.
The military said the operations reflected ongoing efforts to weaken the operational capacity of terrorist groups and other criminal networks through sustained offensives, intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies.
Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff, commended troops for their courage, resilience and sacrifices across the various theatres of operation.
Onoja, who conveyed the CDS’s message on behalf of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, said Oluyede also honoured the memory of an officer, a soldier and a civilian hunter who lost their lives while supporting military operations.
He assured their families that their sacrifices would remain indelible in the nation’s memory and wished wounded personnel a speedy and full recovery.
The CDS also acknowledged the contributions of other security agencies, stressing the need for sustained collaboration, effective intelligence sharing and coordinated operational planning to consolidate the gains recorded.
He called on traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen their partnership with security agencies by providing timely and credible information about suspicious movements and activities through the nearest military formation or the toll-free emergency line 193.
Oluyede urged citizens to deny criminals access to logistics and other forms of support, while warning against mob action, misinformation and the spread of disinformation.
He further charged troops to remain vigilant, disciplined and combat-ready, noting that terrorists and other criminal elements remained dangerous even when wounded or under pressure.
>He reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to sustaining ongoing operations in collaboration with relevant stakeholders until lasting peace, security and stability are restored across the country.
