By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Troops killed scores of terrorists, apprehended over 270 suspects and rescued 230 kidnapped victims during sustained military operations across the North East, North West and North Central in January.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, made this known on Friday in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces in January.

Onoja said the successes were recorded through coordinated ground and air operations aimed at degrading terrorist and bandit networks, denying them freedom of action and restoring security to affected communities.

In the North East, he said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), working with the Air Component, Hybrid Forces and local security groups, conducted aggressive operations against Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’at Ahl al-Sunna (JAS) terrorists across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

“Between Jan. 1 and Jan. 29, troops neutralised scores of terrorists, arrested 74 suspects and rescued 40 kidnapped victims.

“Within the same period, 44 terrorists and their family members surrendered, while five top commanders and three lieutenants were eliminated during firefights.

“Operations were carried out in Gwoza, Damboa, Mobbar, Askira Uba and Konduga LGAs of Borno, as well as Michika LGA of Adamawa and Damaturu LGA of Yobe.

“At the Mandara Mountains on Jan. 22, troops neutralised two terrorist commanders identified as Basulhu and Ubaida, recovering arms and ammunition,” he said.

Onoja said the Air Component, In conjunction with Nigerian Army Aviation, executed precision air interdictions, including strikes on a newly identified terrorist hibernation site in the Northern Tumbuns.

He added that dozens of ISWAP fighters, including a commander known as Qaid and his lieutenant Munzir, were neutralised during engagements in the Timbuktu Triangle.

In the North West and parts of North Central, Onoja said the troops of Operation Fansan Yamma sustained high operational tempo across Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Kogi and Kwara States, as well as parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“During the period, several terrorists were neutralised, 52 suspects arrested and 100 kidnapped victims rescued. Arms, ammunition, vehicles and rustled livestock were also recovered.

“The Air Component provided close air support to ground troops during clearance operations at Chukuba Village in Shiroro LGA of Niger State, leading to the neutralisation of several terrorists,” he said.

The defence spokesman said the troops of Joint Task Force North Central under Operation Enduring Peace and Operation Whirl Stroke recorded notable successes across Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Kwara and Niger States.

In Plateau and parts of Kaduna States, he said the troops neutralised scores of extremists, arrested 86 criminals and rescued 24 kidnapped victims.

According to him, a notorious kidnap kingpin, Amadu Adamu, was also arrested in Jamada Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“Between Jan. 1 and Jan. 29, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested 58 criminals and rescued 32 kidnapped victims during operations across Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and adjoining areas, with arms and ammunition recovered,” he added.

Onoja reaffirmed military’s commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorists and criminal elements while working with other security agencies and local communities to ensure lasting peace across the affected regions. (NAN)