Army Smashes Terror Cells, Arrests 54 Suspects, Rescues Nine Kidnap Victims Nationwide

|By Chinwendu Nwani

Troops of the Nigerian Army have intensified their onslaught against terrorists and criminal gangs, arresting 54 suspects and rescuing nine kidnapped victims in multiple operations across the country within the last 24 hours.

A senior military source confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday that the coordinated raids also neutralised several terrorists, destroyed illegal bunkering sites, and led to the recovery of a large cache of arms, ammunition, and rustled livestock.

In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) repelled an attempted attack by Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram fighters at Ngirboa Bridge in Gujba, Yobe State. The Army further disclosed that a family member of ISWAP terrorists surrendered to troops of the 192 Battalion in Gwoza, Borno State, after fleeing Kunde village in the Mandara Mountains.

In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued eight kidnap victims at Tungar Miragumi and Zugu villages in Zamfara State and recovered 21 sheep from rustlers in Anka. Similar operations in Sokoto and Katsina saw troops recover 143 rustled sheep, destroy a terrorist camp, and kill seven terrorists, including six during a gun battle in Bungudu, Zamfara.

Elsewhere, in the South West, Operation MESA operatives, working with security agencies, arrested 10 suspected internet fraudsters in Oyo State and 42 suspects at Idu Industrial Area, Abuja. A police officer linked to the Abuja suspects was also detained for investigation.

Troops also foiled oil bunkering activities in Rivers and Bayelsa, seizing illegally refined diesel, pipelines, and other equipment. In Rivers, two suspected sea pirates were caught with weapons and a fibre boat, while in Bayelsa, NDLEA operatives arrested four drug suspects during a joint operation.

The military source stressed that the Nigerian Army remains committed to safeguarding the country and urged citizens to support security agencies with credible information to aid operations.