The Armed Forces of Nigeria have expanded large scale security operations across multiple regions of the country, neutralising numerous terror elements, rescuing dozens of abducted citizens, and arresting close to one hundred criminal suspects within a two week period, Okay News reports.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Olatokunbo Bello, while briefing journalists in Abuja on Friday, stated that the coordinated missions were carried out between November 3 and November 14 and were aimed at weakening armed groups that continue to threaten national stability.
According to him, the military recovered significant quantities of weapons and ammunition, including automatic rifles, machine guns, rocket propelled grenade launch tubes, locally constructed firearms, and materials used for the construction of improvised explosive devices. He added that several criminal hideouts and logistics bases were destroyed during the operations.
In the North East region, troops under Operation Hadin Kai sustained intensified offensives in Borno State and Adamawa State, resulting in the killing of multiple fighters belonging to Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province.
He said, “troops also apprehended forty five terrorists’ informants, collaborators and logistics suppliers, and rescued one kidnapped victim.”
In the North West, forces under Operation Fagge Yamma eliminated several armed groups operating across Sokoto State, Zamfara State, Niger State, Katsina State, Kebbi State and Kano State, with additional recoveries of weapons, vehicles and rustled livestock. At least two suspects were arrested, while thirteen kidnapped persons regained freedom.
The North Central region also witnessed decisive engagements, with troops under Operation Enduring Peace responding to violent incidents in Plateau State and Kaduna State. The operations led to the killing of extremist fighters, the arrest of sixteen suspects and the rescue of five abducted individuals. A notorious criminal identified as Ibrahim Wakili was arrested in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State on November 9.
Additional breakthroughs were recorded in Kogi State, Kwara State, Benue State, Nasarawa State and Taraba State under Operation Whirl Stroke, where troops killed several criminals, apprehended ten suspects and rescued forty eight kidnapped victims. Two gunrunners and two extremist collaborators were arrested in Nasarawa State.
In the Niger Delta, troops operating under Operation Delta Safe foiled attempts to steal crude oil valued at more than fifteen million eight hundred thousand naira. Several illegal refining camps were destroyed, alongside the arrest of nine suspected oil thieves in Bayelsa State and Delta State.
Meanwhile, troops under Operation Udo Ka sustained security enforcement operations across the South East region, killing one armed militant and arresting seven others during missions in Imo State, Enugu State, Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State.
Major General Bello praised the troops for their commitment and urged the media to continue sharing verified information in support of national security efforts.
