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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised five terrorists and arrested 21 others for alleged terrorism, kidnapping, illegal bunkering, arms dealing, and cult-related activities.
The troops also rescued 11 kidnap victims and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition among other items.
The army said In a series operation conducted between July 12 and 14, troops of 82 Division Task Force Battalion, in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force and hunters In the North East, neutralised a terrorist during an ambush at Ngoshe–Agapalwa in Gwoza Local Government, Borno State. Similarly, troops of 1 Brigade on patrol in Tsafe LG, Zamfara State also neutralised one terrorist and recovered a motorcycle.
“ In a separate operation, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN in Wase LG ,Plateau State neutralised two extremists and recovered an AK-47 rifle, six magazines, 27 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and a motorcycle.
“ Rescue efforts yielded positive results as troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued 10 kidnap victims in Wukari LG, Taraba State, while another victim was rescued by troops of Defence Headquarters Special Operations Battalion and Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion in Gudu LG, Sokoto State.
“ Similarly, troops of the Nigerian Army arrested 21 suspects across various states for terrorism, kidnapping, illegal bunkering, arms dealing, and cult-related activities. This includes three suspected extremists’ collaborators in Kwara State, two suspected kidnappers in Edo State, an arms dealer in Kaduna State, and 11 suspected cultists in Rivers State. Additional arrests were made in Yobe, Rivers, and Bayelsa states, linked to logistics supply, illegal oil refining, and bunkering activities.
“ Notably, troops recovered a significant quantity of arms and logistics, including: three AK-47 rifles and multiple magazines,
108 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition,
One BAOFENG radio, several mobile phones and motorcycles, ₦165,500 in cash and materials linked to insurgent logistics.
“ In the fight against economic sabotage, troops of 34 Artillery Brigade and 197 Special Forces Battalion uncovered and destroyed several illegal refining sites in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Imo states, recovering over 370,000 litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined products, cooking drums, reservoirs, and other tools.
“ These operations highlight the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Army to dismantle terrorist networks, protect citizens, and defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity. The army continues to call on the public to support security agencies with credible information to sustain the momentum in the ongoing fight against criminal elements.”
