Troops at the weekend swooped on terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements across the country, killing many and seizing arms and ammunition.
The raids, which took place between end of last week and yesterday, dealt a serious blow on insurgents.
Army spokesman, Lt. -Col. Appolonia Anele, and Brigades’ spokesperson, gave accounts of how the criminals were neutralised in the Northwest, Northeast and Northcentral.
Members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the Southeast also suffered huge losses. In the Southsouth, oil thieves got a dose of the military fire power.
In the Southwest, suspected armed robbers, kidnappers and drug dealers got a raw deal.
During the sustained weeklong crackdown, Army Lt. -Col. Anele said troops rescued many kidnapped victims, recovered assorted firearms, ammunition, and seized illicit substances.
According to her, in the Northeast, troops of 117 Task Force Battalion supported by Civilian Joint Task Force and vigilantes engaged terrorists at Yimurmuze in Chibok Local Government of Borno State, neutralising one, and seized an AK-47 rifle, magazine, and 24 rounds of ammunition.
She said troops of 159 Battalion in Geidam Local Government eliminated another terrorist, recovering additional weapons.
In Gwoza council, troops of 192 Battalion with Hybrid Force repelled an ambush by ISWAP/JAS fighters around Kwatara Kasa Village, killing one terrorist while others fled towards the Mandara Mountains.
Operatives of 115 Task Force Battalion in Adamawa arrested eight suspected cattle rustlers, recovering locally made weapons and mobile phones. Troops of 232 Battalion also intercepted two suspected petroleum smugglers in Mubi South Local Government, seizing 19 jerry cans of products concealed in motorcycles.
In the Northwest, a combined air and ground strike at Zango in Katsina State dealt a major blow to terrorists, killing about 15 fighters according to intercepted communications.
Troops in the Northcentral region also made headway. Operation WHIRL STROKE forces killed one armed herder in Logo Local Government of Benue State and recovered weapons.
In the Southsouth, troops disrupted oil bunkering activities in Rivers State, recovering 35 sacks of illegally-refined products, amounting to about 1,750 litres. One suspect was arrested.
During the operation in Delta, soldiers, working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), arrested three drug peddlers in Sapele. In Oshimili South, two people, suspected to be members of the outlawed Independent People of Biafra/ Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) allegedly linked to Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) production, were apprehended.
The Army spokesman added that “other coordinated actions in Lagos, Plateau, and the FCT also saw the arrest of armed robbers, kidnappers, and drug dealers, with the recovery of arms, ammunition, and illicit substances.
“The Nigerian Army stressed its commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements, dismantling terrorist networks, and creating a safer environment to enhance agricultural productivity and support the Federal Government’s drive for food security.”
