The Nigerian Army says it has killed 15 terrorists, arrested 42 criminal suspects, and rescued 30 kidnapped victims in a series of coordinated operations across multiple regions of the country.
A senior military source at Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that the operations were carried out in the North East, North West, North Central, South West, and South South zones.
According to the source, troops foiled planned attacks by ISWAP and Boko Haram in Borno and Yobe States, specifically in Dikwa, Gwoza, Bama, Banki, and Gujba. Fifteen terrorists were killed in the encounters, while several others fled, abandoning rifles, grenades, explosives, motorcycles, and communication devices.
In Kaduna State, joint operations with the police and other security agencies led to the arrest of 15 suspects linked to illicit drug activities. Similarly, troops apprehended 25 suspects in Bayelsa and two in Delta in connection with oil theft.
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke also freed 27 kidnapped passengers at Amoda in Ohimini LGA of Benue State. Three additional victims were rescued in separate operations in Borno and Sokoto following fierce gun battles with terrorists.
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The Army further uncovered and destroyed illegal crude oil bunkering sites in Imo, Rivers, and Delta States, recovering thousands of litres of stolen petroleum products. In Ogun State, a drug syndicate was intercepted with a large quantity of cannabis.
The source stressed that these operations underscore the Army’s commitment to safeguarding national security while highlighting the importance of inter-agency collaboration in combating terrorism and organised crime.
He added that the security operations were also aimed at creating safer environments to boost agricultural activities, aligning with the Federal Government’s food security agenda.
