Nigerian troops crush terror cells, rescue 17 kidnap victims, nab 20 suspects

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Nigerian Army troops deployed for operations in various parts of the country had in the past two days crushed several terrorist cells, rescued 17 kidnaped victims and apprehended 20 suspects.

The achievements of the troops through intensified offensive operations across the country were revealed by a credible source at Army Headquarters on Saturday in Abuja.

Giving details of the nationwide operation, the source indicated that troops of 192 Battalion, supported by the Civilian Joint Task Force, neutralised two terrorists during a fierce encounter with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters at Hudugum village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno.

He added that three terrorists, identified as Fannami Ari (aka Abu Dujana), Hussaini Hassan Modu (aka Abu Yusuf) and another trainee, surrendered to troops in Kukawa and Damboa Local Givernment Areas.

According to the source, the terrorists cited loss of confidence in their leaders and worsening conditions in their camps as reasons for surrendering.

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

He added that troops in the North-Central also apprehended 15 criminal suspects and rescued four victims during clearance operations in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa and Kaduna States.

He further disclosed that troops in the South-South discovered and dismantled two illegal oil refining camps at Biseni in Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa State and seized 62 sacks of stolen crude oil in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo.

The source assured that the army under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, remains committed to sustaining the tempo of operations and ensuring peace and stability across the country.

(NAN)