Troops rescue 23 abductees, kill suspected terrorists in nationwide offensive

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Nigerian military has listed rescue of 23 people from kidnappers and terrorists and killing of five suspected terrorists and kidnappers among the recent achievements of its troops in operations conducted across several states over the past week.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja disclosed this in statement released on Friday.

According to the statement, 18 abductees were rescued in Kwara, two in Edo, two people in Borno and one kidnapped person found in Kaduna.

He also revealed that three suspected kidnappers were killed in Edo while one suspected terrorist was neutralised in Adamawa.

Onoja disclosed that bodies of four suspected terrorists were also discovered by troops during patrols.

Giving details of the operation, the military spokesperson said in Kwara, troops of Operation Savannah Shield and local security groups rescued 18 residents abducted from their farmlands in the Eruku-Egbe-Koro Forest area of Ekiti Local Government Area on Oct. 10.

He added that the kidnappers fled into the forest after troops pursued them, and two AK-47 magazines containing four rounds of ammunition were recovered.

In Edo, troops of Operation Delta Safe rescued two abductees in separate operations on Oct. 11. One was found along the Okene-Okpella Road after suspected kidnappers fled at the sight of troops.

The other was rescued in Sasaro Forest, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, where three suspected kidnappers were neutralised. Troops also recovered three locally fabricated firearms and nine cartridges.

Onoja said in Borno, troops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued two abducted people near the Kuranabasa axis in Gwoza Local Government Area on Oct. 15.

In Adamawa, troops repelled an attack in Hong Local Government Area, neutralising one suspected terrorist and recovering an AK-47 rifle. Patrols later discovered the bodies of four suspected terrorists.

In Kaduna, Onoja said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued a kidnapped person abandoned by fleeing suspects in the Galadimawa area.

He added that in the South-East, troops of Operation Udo Ka arrested three suspects, including a suspected IPOB kingpin, in Atan-Ihechiowa village, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia.

According to him, two motorcycles and cash were recovered, while another suspected IPOB member was handed over to troops by local security volunteers in Anambra.

Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Olufemi Oluyede commended troops for the operations and urged them to maintain operational momentum and vigilance.