ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Nigerian military has recorded fresh gains in ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-kidnapping operations across the country, rescuing seven abducted victims, killing two suspected kidnappers and arresting four alleged Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), members and collaborators.
The operations, carried out in Borno, Yobe, Benue, Plateau and Rivers states, also led to the recovery of arms, ammunition, military uniforms and other operational equipment.
According to operational reports obtained on Sunday by NAN, troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued four persons two women and two minors who escaped from an ISWAP enclave at Agapalawa in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military also received a woman and her child, believed to be relatives of an ISWAP fighter, after they surrendered to troops having fled the Gobara enclave in the Sambisa Forest.
In separate intelligence-led operations conducted with the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, security operatives arrested four suspected ISWAP members and collaborators in Gwoza and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State as well as Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
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Military sources disclosed that one of the suspects confessed to monitoring troop movements during clearance operations along the Baga-Cross Kauwa corridor while supplying logistics to terrorists operating in the area.
Troops also foiled an attempted infiltration of Kirawa community in Gwoza after engaging suspected ISWAP fighters, forcing them to abandon a motorcycle during their escape.
In another operation, a Nigerian Air Force aircraft reportedly neutralised a suspected terrorist moving towards Marte in Borno State.
The military further disclosed that troops discovered and safely detonated an improvised explosive device planted along the Maiduguri-Gamboru highway in Dikwa Local Government Area, preventing what could have been a deadly attack on commuters.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE, working alongside local hunters and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, rescued four kidnapped victims during clearance operations in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
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Two suspected kidnappers were killed during the operation, while troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one G3 rifle, a pistol, several magazines, 221 rounds of assorted ammunition, military camouflage uniforms and a Point-of-Sale terminal from the criminals’ hideout.
Security forces also arrested five suspected militia members during follow-up operations in Otukpo Local Government Area, where a locally made Dane gun and ammunition were recovered.
In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE uncovered a suspected terrorist hideout in the Agingi-Dogon Dutse mountainous area of Bassa Local Government Area and recovered a locally fabricated rifle alongside ammunition.
Elsewhere, troops intercepted 15 jerrycans of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, in Mubi North Local Government Area, while personnel of Operation DELTA SAFE dismantled an illegal crude oil refining site in Rivers State and recovered equipment used for oil theft.
The military said the operations form part of sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist networks, combat kidnapping, disrupt criminal activities and improve security across different parts of the country.