DHQ: Military Rescued 60 Kidnapped Victims, Arrested 44 Suspects During Operations Nationwide

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) of the Nigerian Armed Forces (AFN) reported that their troops conducted nationwide operations from September 18 to 24, rescuing over 60 kidnapped victims and apprehending 44 suspects. These operations targeted terrorism, kidnapping, arms trafficking, oil theft, and other security threats. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.

Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed these findings during a briefing for defence correspondents. In Kebbi State, an NAF jet forced terrorists to abandon kidnapped victims, enabling their escape. Ground troops rescued additional victims in Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states, including 17 victims in Sokoto and seven university students in Katsina.

In the North-east, troops intercepted 44 terrorist family members, including 13 women and 31 children, in Borno State. More than 20 terrorists and family members also surrendered in Borno. Suspected terrorist informants, collaborators, and logistics suppliers were also arrested. In the North-west, troops arrested four suspected terrorists with rustled cattle near Illela, Sokoto, and three suspects with $2.7 million for a notorious terrorist kingpin in Katsina.

In Kaduna, troops engaged terrorists along the Abuja-Kaduna rail line and recovered a rifle and ammunition. In the North-central, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested suspects involved in kidnapping and arms trafficking across several states. In the South-south, troops uncovered 182,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.

In the South-east, troops encountered and neutralized fleeing terrorists who abandoned weapons and items in Orsu LGA, Imo State.