The Armed Forces of Nigeria have recorded major operational gains across the country, neutralising more than 102 terrorists and criminals, arresting 345 others and rescuing 393 kidnap victims in July.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this while presenting the military’s monthly operational update on Friday.
According to him, 57 insurgents also surrendered to troops during the month, while 59 arms and 1,811 rounds of ammunition were recovered across the various theatres of operation.
General Onoja said the operations significantly degraded the capabilities of terrorist and criminal groups, while sustained action against crude oil theft continued to frustrate economic saboteurs.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 54 terrorists, arrested 102 suspects and rescued 102 kidnapped victims across Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Bauchi States.
One of the major successes in the theatre was the reported neutralisation of senior Boko Haram/ISWAP commander and propaganda chief, Abu Salim al-Barnawi, during a counter-operation in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Troops also recorded several arrests and recoveries, including the capture of suspected logistics suppliers and the recovery of weapons, ammunition and other supplies believed to support terrorist operations.
In the North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma recorded 33 terrorists neutralised, 66 arrested and 191 kidnap victims rescued across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara States.
The military also reported the rescue of dozens of civilians from terrorist and kidnapping operations in Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna, including 59 people rescued during operations between July 28 and 29.In the North-Central, troops under Operations Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace and Whirl Stroke also recorded significant successes.
Operation Savannah Shield rescued 11 kidnap victims and neutralised eight terrorists, while 18 suspects were arrested.
Operation Enduring Peace rescued 18 victims, neutralised two terrorists and arrested 60 others, while Operation Whirl Stroke rescued 24 kidnap victims, neutralised five terrorists and arrested 70 suspects across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba States.
The military also reported the rescue of several vulnerable victims, including children, a pregnant woman and a 72-year-old woman during operations in the region.
In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe arrested three suspects, rescued 37 civilians, dismantled 18 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 250,500 litres of petroleum products.
The troops also intercepted vehicles allegedly transporting stolen crude oil and arrested suspects linked to crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in Rivers and Edo States.Meanwhile, Operation Udo Ka in the South-East arrested 26 criminals and rescued 10 civilians during operations targeting secessionist agitators, gunrunners and economic saboteurs.
The troops also recovered assault rifles, ammunition and other weapons from suspected criminal and terrorist hideouts in Imo, Abia, Enugu and Rivers States.
The Air Component of the Armed Forces also provided support to ground troops through surveillance and precision air operations.According to the Defence Headquarters, air intervention helped about nine kidnapped victims escape from terrorists in Niger State, while precision strikes on July 25 neutralised groups of terrorists advancing along the Kontagora axis.
Beyond combat operations, the Armed Forces also intensified civil-military cooperation, including peace meetings with communities, mediation between oil companies and host communities, and humanitarian interventions.
In Borno State, troops supported health authorities in responding to a cholera outbreak in Cross Kauwa, while sensitisation campaigns were conducted in schools and markets.
The military also supported the construction of community infrastructure, solar-powered boreholes, town halls, transformers and the renovation of schools across several states.
General Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops across all theatres for their professionalism and sacrifices.
He particularly praised the military and other security agencies for the successful rescue of the 44 pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15.
He stressed that the rescue was achieved without concessions to the abductors, warning that the military would continue to pursue perpetrators of such crimes.
The CDS also reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to protecting lives and property and tackling terrorism, kidnapping, secessionist agitation and other forms of criminality.
He urged Nigerians to see national security as a shared responsibility and encouraged members of the public to provide timely and accurate information to the nearest military formation or through the toll-free number 193.
The Defence Headquarters assured that information provided by members of the public would be treated with utmost confidentiality.