Troops hit terrorists in nationwide crackdown
Troops at the weekend swooped on terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements across the country, killing many and seizing arms and ammunition.
The raids, which took place between end of last week and yesterday, dealt a serious blow on insurgents.
Amy spokesman, Lt. -Col. Appolonia Anele, and Brigades’ spokesperson, gave accounts of how the criminals were neutralised in the Northwest, Northeast and Northcentral.
Members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the Southeast also suffered huge losses.
In the Southsouth, oil thieves got a dose of the military fire power.
In the Southwest, suspected armed robbers, kidnappers and drug dealers got a raw deal.
North East
During the sustained weeklong crackdown, Army Lt. -Col. Anele said troops rescued many kidnapped victims, recovered assorted firearms, ammunition, and seized illicit substances.
According to her, in the Northeast, troops of 117 Task Force Battalion supported by Civilian Joint Task Force and vigilantes engaged terrorists at Yimurmuze in Chibok Local Government of Borno State, neutralising one, and seized an AK-47 rifle, magazine, and 24 rounds of ammunition.
She said troops of 159 Battalion in Geidam Local Government eliminated another terrorist, recovering additional weapons.
In Gwoza council, troops of 192 Battalion with Hybrid Force repelled an ambush by ISWAP/JAS fighters around Kwatara Kasa Village, killing one terrorist while others fled towards the Mandara Mountains.
Operatives of 115 Task Force Battalion in Adamawa arrested eight suspected cattle rustlers, recovering locally made weapons and mobile phones. Troops of 232 Battalion also intercepted two suspected petroleum smugglers in Mubi South Local Government, seizing 19 jerry cans of products concealed in motorcycles.
Northwest
In the Northwest, a combined air and ground strike at Zango in Katsina State dealt a major blow to terrorists, killing about 15 fighters according to intercepted communications.
Lt. Col. Anele said in Sokoto, troops arrested two terrorist informants and logistics suppliers, while in Zamfara, 1 Brigade, working with the DSS, apprehended a woman logistics supplier linked to notorious kingpin, Ado Aliero.
She was found with N37,000, a mobile phone, and other items.
In Kaduna State, 19 suspects were rounded up during raids at Rigasa, Mando, Tudun Wada and Unguwan Dosa.
Northcentral
Troops in the Northcentral region also made headway. Operation WHIRL STROKE forces killed one armed herder in Logo Local Government of Benue State and recovered weapons.
In Niger State, two kidnapped victims were rescued and 28 cows recovered following air and ground operations in Mariga Local Government.
Also, in Plateau, troops recovered two AK-47 rifles in Mista Ali Village, Bassa Local Government, after interrogating a captured informant.
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Guards Brigade troops recovered a stolen vehicle and arrested three criminals in Gwagwalada.
Southsouth
In the Southsouth, troops disrupted oil bunkering activities in Rivers State, recovering 35 sacks of illegally-refined products, amounting to about 1,750 litres. One suspect was arrested.
During the operation in Delta, soldiers, working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), arrested three drug peddlers in Sapele. In Oshimili South, two people, suspected to be members of the outlawed Independent People of Biafra/ Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) allegedly linked to Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) production, were apprehended.
The Army spokesman added that “other coordinated actions in Lagos, Plateau, and the FCT also saw the arrest of armed robbers, kidnappers, and drug dealers, with the recovery of arms, ammunition, and illicit substances.
“The Nigerian Army stressed its commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal elements, dismantling terrorist networks, and creating a safer environment to enhance agricultural productivity and support the Federal Government’s drive for food security.”
A source at the Army headquarters told The Nation yesterday that one of the arrested woman terror-suspect admitted to being a drug peddler for a terror kingpin. She was found in possession of weapons, cash and other items.
According to the source, troops continue to scale up operations to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt criminal activities, and recover illicit arms across the country, achieving remarkable success.
He said troops from the 192 Battalion, in conjunction with the Hybrid Force, killed one Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighter during a firefight around Kwatara Kasa village in Borno State, yesterday.
The military source said troops in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have continued to build on their success, intercepting and arresting many criminals.
“In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 176 Guards Battalion mounted a snap roadblock to intercept a stolen vehicle from Osun State. The suspects fled but were tracked to a hotel in Gwagwalada, where three criminals were arrested.
“Troops recovered the stolen vehicle, 11 mobile phones, and N29,700 before handing the suspects and exhibits over to the police,” the source said.
In Kogi State, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lokoja, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, yesterday spoke on troops’ undergoing various operations in different parts of the state.
According to him, the soldiers have also been able to rescue Pabo Sulaiman and his two children and destroyed bandits’ settlements in the state.
He listed Tunga, Aleke, Ungwan Soni, Unguwan Nyagba and Ankoyi, among others, as the communities where the operations took place.
Lt. Abdullahi said: “On September 5, during a gun battle at a bandits’ hideout ahead of Tunga, intelligence confirmed that Kachalla Bala, a notorious bandit commander, and five others were neutralised.
“On the same day, troops, in conjunction with OHF, also conducted a successful ambush operation on a suspected bandits’ main supply route at Agbede–Adankoo Bridge (Mosalanci Boka), where a bandit logistics courier was neutralised. Items recovered during the ambush included a motorcycle, two mobile phones, and AK-47 magazine loaded with 20 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
“In a sustained effort to rid Kogi State of banditry and other contemporary security challenges while restoring peace in troubled communities, troops of 12 Brigade have continued to record significant gains in the Operation EGWUA A TITE II in Kogi State. The operation, which began on September 1, has recorded a notable success.
“During the operation, troops of 126 Battalion, led by the Commanding Officer and in conjunction with Other Hybrid Forces (OHF) came in contact with bandits along their axis of advance in Tunga general area. During the firefight, two bandits were neutralised.
“In an effort to boost troops’ morale, the commander of 12 Brigade and Force Commander of Operation Accord III, Brig.-Gen. Kasim Umar Sidi, led the exploitation further along axis of advance leading to destruction of bandits’ settlements while dominating the general area with patrols and ambushes.
“On September 2, acting on intelligence, troops with close air support from 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group, launched an air combat mission to Ankomi, engaging fleeing bandits on sight and neutralising scores.
“In a related development, troops of 126 Battalion, led by the commanding officer, on September 3, conducted clearance operations in Aleke, Ungwan Soni, and Ungwan Nyaba communities.
“During the operation, Pabo Suleiman and his two children were rescued. The rescued victims had been reunited with their family. In addition, five locally made dane guns were recovered.”
The Brigade spokesman declared “Troops of 12 Brigade have reiterated its commitment to rid Kogi State and adjoining areas of banditry, criminality, and other security threats.
“Operation EGWUA A TITE II continues to yield positive results, and troops will remain resolute in restoring peace and security in the region.”
