Army crushes terror cells, rescues 17 victims, arrests 20 suspects

The Nigerian Army has intensified its offensive operations across the country, neutralising terrorist cells, rescuing kidnap victims, and arresting several suspects within 48 hours.

A credible military source at the Army Headquarters confirmed on Saturday in Abuja that the coordinated operations were conducted across the North-East, North-West, North-Central, and South-South regions.

According to the source, troops of the 192 Battalion, supported by the Civilian Joint Task Force, engaged Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in a fierce battle at Hudugum village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, killing two terrorists.

In a related development, three terrorists — identified as Fannami Ari (aka Abu Dujana), Hussaini Hassan Modu (aka Abu Yusuf), and another trainee — voluntarily surrendered to troops in Kukawa and Damboa LGAs. The defectors reportedly cited frustration and loss of confidence in their commanders as reasons for surrendering.

In the North-West, troops of the 1 Brigade foiled two kidnap attempts and rescued 11 victims along the Magami–Jan Gemi and Kucheri–Bilbis routes in Zamfara State.

Similarly, in the North-Central, troops arrested 15 criminal suspects and rescued four victims during clearance operations across Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States.

Meanwhile, in the South-South, soldiers uncovered and dismantled two illegal oil refining sites in Biseni, Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa State, and confiscated 62 sacks of stolen crude oil in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State.

The source reaffirmed the Army’s commitment under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, to sustain the tempo of operations aimed at restoring peace and stability nationwide.