The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) on Friday said troops neutralised 102 terrorists and other criminal elements, rescued 393 kidnapped victims and arrested 345 suspects in coordinated operations across the country in July.
The Defence Headquarters also disclosed that 57 insurgents and their family members surrendered to troops during the period, while 59 weapons and 1,811 rounds of ammunition were recovered in sustained operations against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups nationwide.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed the operational scorecard during the monthly briefing on ongoing military operations in Abuja, saying the successes reflected intensified collaboration among the Armed Forces, other security agencies and local vigilante groups.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria sustained operations during the month of July in furtherance of our constitutional mandate to protect lives, property and the territorial integrity of Nigeria. These operations resulted in the rescue of kidnapped victims, neutralisation and arrest of terrorists and other criminal elements, as well as the recovery of arms and ammunition,” Kangye said.
Kangye added that troops also secured major highways, rail corridors and other strategic national assets while degrading the leadership structures of terrorist and criminal groups through the elimination and arrest of several high-value targets.
North-East
Giving a breakdown of operations in the North-East, Kangye said troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 54 terrorists, arrested 102 suspects, rescued 102 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of 57 insurgents and their families during the month.
He said troops recorded major breakthroughs, including the killing of Abu Salim al-Barnawi, a senior Boko Haram/ISWAP commander and propaganda chief, while several logistics suppliers, foreign fighters and collaborators were arrested. He added that sustained military pressure also forced more terrorists to surrender, including a senior ISWAP finance operative who surrendered with weapons, ammunition and cash.
“The steady trend of surrenders reflects the effectiveness of ongoing land and air offensives in degrading terrorist capabilities and morale,” he said.
North-West
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised 33 terrorists, arrested 66 suspects and rescued 191 kidnapped victims in operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi states.
According to Kangye, troops foiled several kidnapping attempts, rescued dozens of commuters and residents, including the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Kaura Namoda, Dr Aminu Yusuf, and members of his family, while recovering weapons, motorcycles and explosive-making materials from criminal elements.
North-Central (Operation Savannah Shield)
Troops of Operation Savannah Shield operating in Kwara and Niger states neutralised eight terrorists, arrested 18 suspects and rescued 11 kidnapped victims during the period.
Kangye said troops dismantled arms trafficking networks, recovered weapons and rescued victims during several intelligence-led operations, including successful raids on terrorist hideouts in Kaiama, Edu and Patigi local government areas of Kwara State.
North-Central (Operation Enduring Peace)
Under Operation Enduring Peace, troops arrested 60 suspects, neutralised two terrorists and rescued 18 kidnapped victims in Kaduna and Plateau states.
The military spokesman said troops also intercepted illegal arms shipments, arrested suspects linked to attacks on the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and repelled militia attacks in parts of Plateau State.
North-Central (Operation Whirl Stroke)
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke recorded the arrest of 70 suspects, neutralised five terrorists and rescued 24 kidnapped victims during operations in Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba states.
Kangye said the troops eliminated notorious terrorist kingpin Puuga, destroyed several criminal camps, arrested logistics couriers and collaborators and rescued school officials, students, women and other abductees in a series of clearance operations.
“The Armed Forces remain committed to sustaining the momentum of ongoing operations until all threats to national security are decisively addressed,” Kangye said.
He assured Nigerians that the military would continue to work with other security agencies and local communities to dismantle terrorist networks, secure strategic infrastructure and restore peace across the country.
