The Nigerian Army has launched a successful operation against terrorists and criminal gangs, crippling their supply chains, dismantling their networks, and limiting their operational freedom. In the North East, troops captured rocket-propelled grenades, bombs, large consignments of drugs, chemicals, and assault weapons in intense battles with ISWAP/JAS fighters.
Similar operations across the North West, North Central and South South regions left scores of terrorists and criminals neutralized, dozens arrested, kidnapped victims freed and massive caches of arms, ammunition and illicit logistics recovered.
Troops deployed in Borno State delivered punishing defeats to ISWAP/JAS elements in multiple encounters. In Banki, troops of 152 Task Force Battalion, supported by Hybrid Forces and Civilian JTF, prevented the terrorist assault on communities, seizing a full box of 12.7 x 108mm, another box of 7.62 x 51mm NATO rounds, a bicycle and military camouflage clothing.
In the same vane, roops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade thwarted enemy plans by safely disposing of two powerful command explosives planted along the Darel Jamel–Bula Yobe road.
On the Damboa–Gumsuri axis, combined troops of 19 Battalion and 25 Brigade cut down a logistics convoy, neutralizing a terrorist and recovering two AK-47 rifles, 36 hand grenades, bomb making components, military desert camouflage uniforms, 32 bicycles, bulk drugs, chemicals, red oil and mosquito nets intended to sustain the terrorists.
Equally in Konduga, troops of 222 Battalion ambushed and eliminated a terrorist, while 3 Battalion intercepted a truckload of NPK fertilizer at Logomani meant for bomb-making.
In Biu LGA, combined troops of 135 Special Forces Battalion and Civilian JTF crushed an attempted ISWAP/JAS incursion on communities, seizing five Roket bombs, three AK-47 magazines with 90 rounds of 7.62mm Special and four light machine gun PKT belts of ammunition with 306 rounds of 7.62mm NATO.
At FOB Azir in Damboa, troops overpowered another wave of attackers, killing one terrorist and capturing three AK-47 rifles, explosives, intoxicants, and hard drugs.
In Katsina, troops of the Defence Special Operations Force (DSOF) stormed terrorist hideouts at Jeka Areda and Ruwan Godia, seizing seven motorcycles. While in Sokoto, troops of DHQ Special Operations Battalion gunned down two terrorists, capturing an AK-47 rifle, magazines, motorcycles and uniforms.
Similarly In Kebbi, 1 Battalion (Rear) in concert with the DSS arrested four terrorists, seizing a vehicle, mobile phones and other incriminating materials.
In Kaduna, troops of Sector 7 Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) rescued a kidnapped girl in Manchok and captured one criminal.
In Benue, Sector 1 OPWS rescued a kidnapped victim and seized one FN rifle, five magazines and 83 rounds of 7.62mm NATO. While the troops in Taraba, closed in on three suspected kidnappers. The troops also recovered stolen motorcycles and firearms in follow-up raids.
In Cross River, troops of 146 and 130 Battalions apprehended a notorious cultist caught with a roasted human leg. The vigilant troops also neutralized a miscreant, arrested two accomplices and recovered a pistol, cartridges and drug paraphernalia.
In Rivers State, troops destroyed 350 litres of crude oil being illegally scooped along Imor River. Likewise, 34 Artillery Brigade smashed a bunkering site with four cooking drums and 800 litres of illegally refined products.
Along Bakassi waterways, Nigerian troops, in collaboration with the Cameroonian Army, rescued kidnapped passengers in daring cross-border operations.
Overall, the Nigerian Army operations resulted in the neutralization of scores of terrorists, cultists and kidnappers. It also yielded the arrest of over 20 criminal suspects, including terror logistics suppliers and informants.Multiple kidnapped victims were also rescued.
