Army confirms 27 terrorists killed, 10 suspects arrested, kidnapping victims rescued
Army
Abdullateef Fowewe
Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised 27 terrorists, apprehended 10 suspected criminals and rescued eight kidnapped victims during coordinated nationwide operations over the past 48 hours.
The intelligence-driven operations, carried out by joint land and air forces, according to a statement received from the Nigerian Army on Sunday, covered Borno, Plateau, Nasarawa, Akwa Ibom states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the statement said, adding that troops also recovered arms, ammunition, stolen vehicles and other logistics.
In the North East, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted precision air interdiction missions against terrorist positions in the Tumbuns area of Borno State.
“Battle damage assessments and human intelligence confirmed the elimination of 27 terrorists,” the army said, specifying that 12 insurgents were neutralised during a strike on Dawoshe in Kukawa Local Government Area and a further 15 died in a separate engagement at Metele in Guzamala Local Government Area.
Ground troops in Borno also arrested a suspected terrorist along the Mandara Girau Sabon Gari axis in Biu Local Government Area and recovered supplies believed destined for insurgents, including food, communication devices, blankets, herbicides and batteries. Near Kareto, troops foiled a kidnapping attempt and “successfully rescued 6 civilians comprising three men and three women without injury.”
In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested a suspected kidnapper and cattle rustler in Bokkos Local Government Area.
Recovered items included ammunition, an AK-47 magazine, a laptop, a mobile phone and military-pattern clothing.
In Jos South, four suspected criminals were detained after being found with a fabricated pistol and ammunition.
Nasarawa State operations resulted in the rescue of two kidnapped victims after their captors fled on sighting advancing forces.
Follow-up action uncovered a criminal hideout; recovered items included a locally fabricated pistol, live cartridges, communication devices, foreign and local currencies and ₦1.8 million “suspected to be proceeds of crime.”
Acting on actionable intelligence in the Federal Capital Territory, troops intercepted two suspected carjackers on the Abuja–Lokoja Highway and recovered a stolen Mercedes‑Benz E350.
Preliminary investigations indicated the vehicle had been forcefully taken in Abuja and was being moved out of the city for sale.
In Akwa Ibom State, troops conducting anti-crude oil theft operations recovered about 325 litres of suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in sacks in a bush in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.
The recovered product has been handed to the appropriate authorities.
The Nigerian Army said these achievements “highlight the effectiveness of intelligence-led and joint operations in degrading terrorist and criminal networks nationwide” and reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive actions to “deny criminal elements freedom of movement and ensure a secure environment for citizens.”
The statement urged the public to continue providing “timely and credible information,” describing such support as a “critical force multiplier” in efforts to achieve lasting peace and national security.
