Soldiers rescued 70 kidnap victims, recovered N10 million ransom in one week, DHQ says

•15 terrorists killed in Borno air strike

Soldiers have rescued more than 70 kidnap victims, recovered N10 million in ransom and arrested several suspected terrorists and kidnappers across the country in one week.

Major General Michael Onoja, the Director, Defence Media Operations, disclosed this in a statement on ongoing military operations between October 15 and October 22.

Onoja said troops rescued 27 villagers abducted in Gamji community, Katsina State, and 29 residents who fled into nearby bushes during a terrorist attack in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

He said troops also rescued 11 passengers after suspected attackers assaulted a commercial bus along the Ayere-Kabba road in Kogi State.

Onoja added that troops tracked kidnappers to Falgore Forest, killed two suspects and rescued a victim abducted from Fanyabo village in Tudun Wada Local Government Area of Kano State.

He said the troops recovered N10 million suspected to be ransom paid by the victim’s family and handed the money and victim over to the family.

Onoja said troops also arrested a wanted terrorist kingpin and an accomplice at the kingpin’s residence in Mokwa, Niger State, recovering four mobile phones and an undisclosed amount of cash.

In the North-East, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained offensive operations against terrorists in Borno and Yobe states.

He said troops arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and collaborators at Benisheikh Market in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State on October 16.

According to him, further arrests were made in Yobe and Borno states, including suspected collaborators allegedly supplying clothing materials for terrorists’ uniforms.

He said 19 terrorists and family members surrendered to, or were intercepted by, troops in Bama, Konduga, Mafa and Gwoza local government areas of Borno State during the period.

“The individuals reportedly cited hunger, hardship and clashes between rival terrorist factions as reasons for leaving terrorist camps.

“Troops also rescued an abductee who escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains and arrested suspected ISWAP members in Borno and Yobe.

“Following an attack on troops’ location at Mairari in Guzamala Local Government Area, troops conducted clearance operations and recovered weapons.

“Items recovered are eight AK-47 rifles, two pump-action guns, 300 rounds of PKT ammunition, two rocket-propelled grenade bombs and chargers, a handheld radio and a motorcycle,” he said.

In the North-Central, Onoja said the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke rescued five kidnap victims abandoned by their captors along the Okoloke-Isanlu-Esa route in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.

He said the troops also rescued a kidnapped herder in Nasarawa and arrested a wanted gunrunner and militia leader at Jape village in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State.

Onoja said troops arrested a suspected arms dealer in Jalingo, Taraba State, over an alleged attempt to sell 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

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According to him, the suspect reportedly disclosed the location of three AK-47 rifles.

He said troops had, in another operation, arrested a suspected kidnapper in Taraba State and subsequently apprehended other members of a kidnapping syndicate allegedly operating with six AK-47 rifles.

“Troops also raided the residence of a militia leader at Abako in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue, destroying the militia’s hideout.

“In Plateau State, troops rescued two people abducted while travelling to Jos and arrested three suspects during an operation at a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Riyom Local Government Area.

“One of the suspects was identified as an alleged logistics supplier,” he added.

The defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Udo Ka arrested five suspects over the kidnapping of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Imo State.

In Anambra State, he said the troops responding to a suspected secessionist attack pursued the fleeing suspects, who abandoned a bus and escaped in another vehicle.

According to him, the troops recovered the bus, a pump-action gun and five cartridges.

In the South-South, Onoja said the troops of Operation Delta Safe conducted an offensive operation against suspected kidnappers in Amendokhian Forest, Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

He added that the operation led to the killing of one suspect and the recovery of a pump-action rifle and six live cartridges.

In another development, the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), on Saturday, said its soldiers killed 15 terrorists in a precision air strike north-west of Pulka in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

Captain Mohammed Goni, acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Goni said the operation was conducted at about 11:50 p.m. on Friday, October 23, following credible intelligence and confirmed sightings of terrorist movements in the area.

He said the precision air strike was subsequently followed by ground operations to exploit the area and consolidate the gains recorded.

According to him, the operation underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-driven targeting and coordinated military action in disrupting terrorist movements and degrading their operational capabilities.

He added that the operation formed part of sustained offensive operations aimed at denying terrorists freedom of action and preventing them from threatening communities across the North-East.

Goni said the Theatre Command remained committed to defeating terrorism and insurgency, protecting law-abiding citizens and creating conditions for the restoration of normalcy and socio-economic activities in affected communities.

He reassured the public that troops would sustain the momentum of ongoing operations with vigilance, determination and professionalism.

The military urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and credible information on suspicious movements and activities.