By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Troops of the Nigerian Army in theatres of operations have neutralised five terrorists, rescued 11 kidnapped victims and arrested 21 criminal suspects in series of coordinated and intelligence-driven operations.

A credible source, who made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, said the troops also recovered cache of arms, ammunition, and other items.

The source revealed that the feat was achieved in series of operations conducted between July 12 and July 14.

According to him, troops of the 82 Division Task Force Battalion, in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force and hunters, neutralised a terrorist during an ambush at Ngoshe?Agapalwa in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno.

?Similarly, troops of I Brigade on patrol in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara also neutralised one terrorist and recovered a motorcycle.

?In a separate operation, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised two extremists and recovered arms ammunition, and a motorcycle in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau,? the source said.

The source also revealed that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke rescued 10 kidnapped victims in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba.

He added that another victim was rescued by troops of Defence Headquarters Special Operations Battalion and Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

?Troops of the Nigerian Army also arrested 21 suspects across various states for terrorism, kidnapping, illegal bunkering, arms dealing, and cult-related activities.

?This includes three suspected extremists? collaborators in Kwara, two suspected kidnappers in Edo, an arms dealer in Kaduna State, and 11 suspected cultists in Rivers.

?Additional arrests were made in Yobe, Rivers, and Bayelsa States, linked to logistics supply, illegal oil refining, and bunkering activities.

?Notably, troops recovered a significant quantity of arms and logistics, including three AK-47 rifles and multiple magazine; 108 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition; one Baofeng radio; several mobile phones and motorcycles, and materials linked to insurgent logistics,? the source added.

He also revealed that troops of 34 Artillery Brigade and 197 Special Forces Battalion uncovered and destroyed several illegal refining sites in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Imo, recovering over 370,000 litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined products, cooking drums, reservoirs, and other tools.

According to him, these operations highlight the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Army to dismantle terrorist networks, protect citizens, and defend Nigeria?s territorial integrity.

?The Nigerian army continues to call on the public to support security agencies with credible information to sustain the momentum in the ongoing fight against criminal elements,? he said. (NAN)

Update news