The Nigerian military has rescued 11 kidnapped victims and arrested 21 suspected terrorists, collaborators, logistics suppliers and drug peddlers during coordinated operations across Borno, Zamfara and Kogi states.
The operations, conducted between July 21 and 22 under Operation HADIN KAI, Operation Fansan Yamma and Operation MESA, also led to the discovery and destruction of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by terrorists, according to operational reports made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday.
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI arrested three suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers around New Abbaram Resettlement Village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Items recovered from the suspects included 3.5 litres of groundnut oil, kola nuts, salt and 76 sachets of coconut flavouring believed to have been intended for terrorists.
The military also received two teenage girls who escaped from the Grazah terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains and surrendered to troops in Gwoza.
Security personnel discovered and safely detonated two primed IEDs planted by terrorists along the Dambua–Bulabulin–Kumala road to target security forces and commuters.
Another booby-trap IED was found along the Cross Kauwa–Kekeno–Monguno road, where fragments were recovered for forensic analysis.
In Monguno, troops raided criminal hideouts and arrested 12 suspected drug peddlers, recovering quantities of cannabis, tramadol and other illicit substances.
Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma engaged terrorists along the Gambada–Gummi–Sokoto road in Zamfara State, forcing the criminals to flee and abandon 11 kidnapped victims as well as a motorcycle.
In Kogi State, troops arrested a suspected terrorist informant who confessed to working for a notorious terrorist kingpin identified as Kachallah Babangida.
Security forces also apprehended three suspected terrorists during separate operations in Adavi and Lokoja Local Government Areas.
Additionally, two suspected logistics couriers transporting food items, drinks and cigarettes allegedly meant for terrorists operating within the state were arrested.
The military said search operations were ongoing to rescue two persons abducted by gunmen in Owo, Ondo State. Troops also recovered a bicycle and bags of charcoal abandoned by a fleeing logistics supplier.
The Armed Forces said the operations underscore its sustained commitment to dismantling terrorist logistics networks, rescuing kidnapped victims and denying criminal elements freedom of action across various theatres of operation.
