By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops of the armed forces have in one week, neutralised dozens of terrorists, apprehended 86 suspects and rescued 26 kidnapped victims across the country.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, disclosed this while providing updates on military operations in Friday in Abuja.

Kangye said the operations were conducted in collaboration with other security agencies to enhance national security, promote stability and safeguard the country’s strategic interests.

He said the troops also recovered large quantities of arms and ammunition, destroyed terrorists’ camps and illegal refining sites to deny criminals freedom of action nationwide.

According to him, the operations were conducted simultaneously across all theatres, including the North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-South and South-East regions.

Kangye said that in the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained their offensive against Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terrorists in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

He said several terrorists were eliminated, while 13 logistics suppliers, informants and collaborators were arrested, and three kidnapped victims rescued.

According to him, arms, ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, petroleum products and other items were recovered during the operations.

In the North-West, Kangye said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA maintained pressure on terrorists in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Kaduna states.

According to him, several terrorists were neutralised, 11 suspects arrested and 14 kidnapped victims rescued during the operations.

In the North-Central, he said troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE conducted raids and responded to distress calls in Plateau, Kaduna and Bauchi states, neutralising several extremists, arresting 24 suspects and rescuing three victims.

Kangye added that in a separate raid on Oct. 19, troops recovered weapons from the residence of a wanted extremist leader, Alhaji Muhammed Sule (aka MP), in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau.

He said the recovered items included two AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, a revolver pistol, six magazines and 1,202 rounds of live ammunition.

In Operation WHIRL STROKE theatre, Kangye said troops neutralised several criminals, arrested 16 suspects and rescued three kidnapped victims in Taraba, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi States, and the Federal Capital Territory.

In the South-South, Kangye said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft valued at about ?13.4 million within the week.

He said troops recovered 12,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 840 litres of Automotive Gas Oil and 1,350 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene.

According to him, troops also destroyed six crude oil cooking ovens, four dugout pits, 12 boats, five storage tanks and two illegal refining sites, while 10 suspects were arrested.

He added that in the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA maintained offensive operations across Imo, Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States, arresting 12 IPOB/ESN members and rescuing three kidnapped victims.

The DHQ spokesman reaffirmed the commitment of the armed forces to denying terrorists, insurgents, bandits and other criminals freedom of action across the country.

He commended the troops for their bravery, resilience and professionalism, assuring Nigerians that the military would continue to ensure peace and security nationwide.

“The successes recorded across all theatres reflect the courage and dedication of our gallant troops who continue to defend our nation with honour,” he said.

Kangye urged the public to continue supporting the military by providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations. (NAN)