By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Troops of the Nigerian Army have apprehended a high-profile terrorist operative linked to a notorious terrorist leader and 60 suspected collaborators in separate operations across theatres.

The arrests were among the latest operational successes recorded between Aug. 12 and 13, according to military report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

In Kaduna, the military said troops of 4 Demonstration Battalion arrested a suspected ISWAP operative allegedly working closely with terrorist leader Dogo Gide.

It said the suspect was intercepted at Kadage Check Point while conveying seven pairs of sewn foreign camouflage uniforms to a terrorist camp.

It added that preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect was a close confidant of Dogo Gide and had been supplying logistics to him.

According to the report, troops recovered 23 yards of foreign camouflage material, two mobile phones, three ATM cards, an identity card and other items from the suspect.

The military also said troops of 226 Battalion, supported by hunters, raided a motor park in Gombi area of Adamawa following intelligence on suspected terrorist collaborators allegedly disguising themselves as menial workers and hawkers.

It added that the operation led to the arrest of 60 suspects, who were currently being held for further investigation.

“In Zamfara, troops of 1 Brigade recovered an RPG bomb during a fighting patrol around Tunga-Jambako in Maradun Local Government Area.

“The recovery followed an earlier terrorist ambush, with troops subsequently conducting extensive searches to dominate the area.

“Meanwhile, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE arrested five suspected terrorists during offensive operations in suspected terrorist enclaves at Chito, Jootar and Ikyior in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue.

“The troops also destroyed the enclaves and recovered two motorcycles, two locally fabricated guns and other items,” it said.

The report further revealed that troops intercepted five women and seven children suspected to be family members of terrorists in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno.

It added that the group reportedly escaped from a terrorist enclave in Gazuwa Camp.

“Similarly, troops intercepted six male children at Ajiri, who said they escaped from Murofari Village following violent clashes between rival terrorist groups.

The military said the operations demonstrated the continued focus on intelligence-led actions to disrupt terrorist logistics, dismantle criminal networks and deny terrorists freedom of action across the country. (NAN)