By Desire Emmanuel
Troops have rescued 119 travellers abducted by terrorists in Borno State, neutralised several insurgents and dismantled criminal hideouts in sustained operations conducted between November 6 and November 12.
This was contained in a weekly update released by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General. Michael Onoja, on Saturday, November 14, in Abuja.
Onoja said the operations also led to the rescue of other kidnapped victims, arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators, recovery of weapons and clearance of dozens of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
He said the 119 victims, comprising 69 adult males, 35 adult females and 15 children, were rescued on November 6 by troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) along Dutsen Kura-Bulazarma-Kamuya Road in Buratai, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.
He added that the terrorists abandoned their captives while fleeing along the Mangari-Dora Road following the troops’ intervention.
“Troops immediately mobilised and pursued the terrorists along the Mangari-Dora Road, forcing them to abandon their captives and thereby rescuing 119 victims.
“Troops subsequently discovered an improvised explosive device planted by the terrorists in the area,” he said.
Onoja said the operation demonstrated the military’s determination to deny terrorists the opportunity to abduct civilians and disrupt movement along major routes.
He added that troops also rescued abductees and confiscated a vehicle during an encounter with terrorists along the Monguno-Maiduguri Road in the same state on November 8.
The defence spokesman said troops working with local security groups also rescued a woman and two other residents unharmed at Dutse-Uku in Mubi South Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
He added that the troops also recovered the victims’ vehicles and farm produce and returned them to their owners.
Onoja further said that troops sustained pressure on terrorists across the North-East, recording several engagements and disrupting their logistics and support networks.
He disclosed that four terrorist fighters and 13 members of their families surrendered at different locations in Borno State between November 6 and November 8.
“One of the fighters surrendered with an FN rifle and seven rounds of ammunition, while nine family members, including two women, were handed over to the Nigerian troops by the Cameroonian Defence Force at Banki.
“The surrendered fighters and their families reportedly attributed their decision to abandon the terrorist groups to sustained military pressure and clashes between rival factions,” he said.
Onoja also disclosed that troops arrested 15 suspected collaborators, informants and spies at Tashan Kano in Maiduguri and Benisheikh in Kaga Local Government Area.
According to him, two other suspects were arrested while allegedly smuggling provisions to terrorists at Kwatan Turare Gate in Doron Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area.
In the North-West, he said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued five kidnapped victims during clearance operations in Zamfara State.
Onoja said troops cleared Barayazaki, Gurusu, Gwashi and Nassarawa communities and adjoining forests in Bukkuyum and Anka Local Government Areas on November 7.
He said the troops advanced through Masama Mudi, Gwashi and Tunganyara communities into parts of Gando Forest, where they rescued two kidnapped victims.
He added that troops also rescued three commuters following an attack along the Kombo-Gurusu Road in Bukkuyum Local Government Area on November 11.
“However, the body of the vehicle’s driver was recovered from the scene and evacuated.
“In Katsina State, troops engaged terrorists on two motorcycles at Yarcantar Gora in Malumfashi Local Government Area, killing one terrorist and recovering an AK-47 rifle, five magazines, 90 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle and three mobile phones.
“Troopa also arrested two suspected terrorists, identified as father and son, with an AK-47 rifle at Bauni Forest in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State,” he said.
In the North-Central, Onoja revealed that troops of Operation Enduring Peace sustained offensive operations in Plateau and Bauchi states, destroying terrorist camps and recovering weapons and ammunition.
He said troops cleared terrorist camps at Dajin Madam in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi on November 8, destroying life-support structures and forcing the armed elements to withdraw.
According to him, during the exploitation of the area, troops recovered 135 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, two motorcycles, radios, mobile phones and camouflage uniforms.
He said troops also neutralised two terrorists near Kukawa Village and another terrorist along the Wanka Village axis in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
In another operation, he said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested two suspected kidnappers during a raid on a hideout around Wayo Community in Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, among other successful operations..
