Victory Against Terror: Troops Eliminate 152 Terrorists, Rescue 91 Hostages in Nationwide Crackdown

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Friday that troops had successfully neutralized 152 terrorists, arrested 109 suspects, and rescued 91 kidnapped hostages during operations conducted across the country in the past week.

Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, provided the update during a briefing in Abuja, noting that significant blows were dealt to terrorist strongholds in Katsina and Kaduna states. Key operations targeted two notorious terrorist commanders, Sadiku and Alhaji Yusuf, leading to the decimation of their enclaves.

“Sadiku’s base was located at Tsora Hill in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State, while Alhaji Yusuf’s stronghold was at Yadi Forest in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State,” Buba revealed.

In addition, two female terrorist collaborators, responsible for negotiating ransoms with the families of kidnapped victims, were apprehended. Troops also recovered an impressive cache of 183 weapons and over 4,000 rounds of ammunition, including 95 AK-47 rifles, locally made guns, and other heavy arms.

“On the whole, the gallant men and women of the armed forces continue to take pride in putting themselves in harm’s way to ensure the safety and security of citizens,” Buba stated, calling for continued support from the public in the fight against terrorism.

In the North East, under Operation Hadin Kai, 63 terrorists were eliminated, 38 suspects were arrested, and 35 hostages were rescued. Buba added that between August 28 and September 4, a total of 196 terrorists surrendered, including 19 adult males, 70 adult females, and 107 children. A successful airstrike on August 31 also killed an ISWAP spiritual leader, Goni Sanda, along with several other terrorists in Borno State.

Meanwhile, in the North Central, troops under Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralized three extremists, arrested 40 suspects, and rescued 28 hostages. In the North West, Operation Hadarin Daji forces killed 105 terrorists, arrested 21, and freed 36 hostages.

In the Niger Delta, under Operation Delta Safe, troops destroyed 58 illegal refining sites and recovered over 1.2 million liters of stolen crude oil and illegally refined diesel. Additionally, 36 suspected oil thieves were arrested.

In the South East, under Operation UDO KA, two violent extremists were apprehended, and two hostages were rescued.

All arrested suspects, recovered items, and rescued hostages have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further action, Buba confirmed.

Anambra: Police detain suspect over child trafficking, rescue victim

The Police command in Anambra has apprehended a suspect over alleged involvement in the trafficking of teenagers between the age of 13 and 16.

SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, said at a press briefing in Awka, that the suspect had trafficked many teenagers to neighbouring countries.

Ikenga said that some of the victims who were taken to Ghana had been safely returned to Nigeria, and that search was ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.

The police spokesman said that the suspect was apprehended following reports of increasing cases of missing teenagers in the state.

He said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, directed police personnel in state to do everything possible towards tackling the trend.

“The suspect is currently undergoing interrogation with the police. This will help in rescuing other victims, and tracking down on other gang members

Gunmen on Tuesday attacked Kwatas and Daffo communities of Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State and killed seven persons.

Retired Brig.-Gen. Gakji Shipi, the Special Adviser to Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday in Jos.

Gakji is also the Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, a state-owned security outfit.

“Yesterday we had two separate attacks – one in Kwatas and the other in Daffo, all in Bokkos.

“So, far seven people have been confirmed killed while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

“At the moment, normalcy has returned to the areas, but we are still on the trail of those behind this dastardly act and we will not allow them to get away with it,” he said.