Nigerian troops operating across different theatres of operation neutralised 324 terrorists and criminal elements, rescued more than 621 kidnapped victims and arrested over 373 suspects in August, the Defence Headquarters has said.
The troops also discovered and deactivated 21 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta and recovered about 696,800 litres of suspected stolen and illegally refined petroleum products during operations against oil theft and economic sabotage.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the figures during a briefing in Abuja.
He said 201 insurgents also surrendered to troops during the month, while security forces recovered 88 assorted firearms and 2,077 rounds of ammunition from terrorists and criminal groups.
Operations Across the North-West
Onoja said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised 190 terrorists, arrested 47 suspects and rescued 126 kidnapped victims across the North-West during August.
Among the major operations, troops intercepted 21 people attempting to travel from Kaduna State towards Birnin Kebbi on August 2. Following profiling, five were identified as terrorists and handed over to the Department of State Services, while the remaining passengers were released.
Troops also recovered cash, weapons, motorcycles, communication equipment and other items during operations across Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna and Kano states.
On August 10, troops responding to an attack in Makuku Village, Kebbi State, neutralised 18 terrorists, although some local security personnel and a civilian were killed during the encounter.
In another major operation on August 28, troops conducting clearance operations around Maikujera in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State neutralised 30 terrorists.
Ten AK-47 rifles and five RPGs were recovered after terrorists attempted to use rustled cattle as human shields.
According to the Defence Headquarters, intelligence indicated that the group was linked to the network of notorious terrorist kingpin Bello Turji and had been using the Maikujera axis as a transit route for stolen cattle.
Troops also rescued 12 commuters after responding to an attempted abduction in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Fight Against Oil Theft Intensifies
In the Niger Delta, troops operating under Operation Delta Safe and Operation Delta Sentinel intensified operations against kidnapping, arms trafficking, crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and illegal refining.
The military said 43 criminals were arrested and 38 civilians rescued during the month, while 21 illegal refining sites were dismantled.
Operations across Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo states led to the recovery of hundreds of thousands of litres of suspected stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products.
Troops also disrupted illegal storage facilities, intercepted vehicles transporting suspected stolen petroleum products and arrested several suspects linked to oil theft.
In one operation in Edo State, troops rescued a kidnapped farmer and neutralised one suspected kidnapper. They also recovered ₦1.5 million reportedly intended as ransom.
Hundreds of Kidnap Victims Rescued
In the North-Central, troops of Operation Savannah Shield rescued 329 kidnapped victims, neutralised seven terrorists and arrested four suspects.
One of the biggest rescue operations took place on August 5 in Kainji Lake National Park, where troops rescued 308 abducted people, mainly women and children.
The rescued victims included 163 residents of Woro Village in Kwara State and 145 people from Niger State.
Troops also rescued additional victims in Niger and Kwara states during clearance and fighting patrols.
Under Operation Enduring Peace, troops rescued 15 kidnap victims, neutralised five terrorists and arrested 82 suspects.
In Plateau State, troops carried out operations following attacks and kidnappings, while an attempt to transport illegal firearms through Wase Local Government Area was foiled. Two AK-47 rifles were recovered from a concealed compartment in a vehicle.
Operations in Benue, Kogi and Taraba
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke rescued 38 kidnap victims, neutralised three terrorists and arrested 31 suspects during August.
In Kogi State, troops rescued several groups of kidnapped victims along major roads and in rural communities after engaging fleeing kidnappers.
One operation along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe axes resulted in the rescue of 16 victims, including women and children. Nine additional victims were rescued the following day along the Ajaokuta-Itobe Road.
Troops also rescued nine passengers and a commercial bus driver after responding to a kidnapping incident along the Ogbulu-Alloma Road in Kogi State.
In Taraba State, troops arrested suspected arms traffickers linked to the movement of weapons to rebel elements in Cameroon and recovered firearms and ammunition during separate operations.
South-East Operations
In the South-East, troops operating under Operation Udoka arrested 20 criminals, neutralised five terrorists and rescued four civilians.
The military also reported operations against suspected IPOB/ESN camps and criminal networks across Enugu, Imo and Anambra states.
Troops recovered AK-47 rifles, machine guns, ammunition, explosives and materials reportedly intended for the manufacture of improvised explosive devices.
In Enugu State, troops and the Department of State Services conducted operations against a kidnapping syndicate, resulting in arrests and the recovery of weapons and cash.
The military also reported the destruction of an illegal bunkering site in Abia State and the arrest of suspects linked to the operation.
Air Operations
The Air Component of the military continued to support ground forces through precision air strikes, armed reconnaissance and surveillance missions across the operational theatres.
On August 6, an air strike in the Kampani Bobi and Beri Settlement areas of Niger State targeted terrorists who had reportedly gathered with motorcycles in preparation for hostile activities. The military said the strike neutralised scores of terrorists and destroyed additional logistics and equipment.
On August 9, another armed reconnaissance mission targeted a large concentration of terrorists in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
The military said the aircraft engaged the terrorists with rockets and cannon fire, disrupting their activities.
On August 13, air operations around Maburya also targeted terrorists fleeing with rustled cattle. The military said the operation resulted in the neutralisation of 46 terrorists.
Military Reports Improved August Performance
Onoja said the August figures reflected a significant improvement in military operations compared with the previous month.
He said the number of terrorists and criminals neutralised rose sharply in August, while arrests also increased. The number of civilians rescued increased substantially, while the number of terrorists surrendering to troops continued to rise.
According to the Defence Headquarters, surrendered terrorists increased from 11 in June to 57 in July and 201 in August.
The military attributed the overall improvement to intensified kinetic and non-kinetic operations, stronger intelligence gathering, enhanced inter-agency cooperation and increased pressure on terrorist and criminal networks.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their resilience, discipline and commitment during the month.
He also acknowledged the sacrifices of personnel involved in rescuing abducted citizens, disrupting terrorist and criminal networks, combating oil theft and protecting critical national assets.
Oluyede expressed sympathy to the families of civilians and security personnel killed during operations and wished injured personnel and other victims a speedy recovery.
He further commended the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, local security groups, traditional rulers, community leaders and members of the public for providing intelligence and supporting security operations across the country.
