The Armed Forces of Nigeria says it has rescued more than 1,000 kidnapped victims and disrupted terrorist and criminal networks across the country in September, as troops intensified operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other security threats.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Wednesday at the Defence Headquarters Combined Monthly and Third Quarter Media Briefing on ongoing military operations.
Onoja said that between August 31 and September 30, troops conducted sustained kinetic and non-kinetic operations across the country, resulting in the neutralisation and arrest of terrorists, rescue of kidnapped citizens and disruption of arms and logistics networks.
He said the military also recorded the surrender of more than 90 terrorist fighters and their family members during the month.
According to him, some of those who surrendered cited hunger, harsh living conditions and lack of basic necessities within terrorist enclaves as reasons for abandoning the groups.
Troops rescue hundreds across North-East and North-West
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued 103 kidnapped victims, arrested 49 terrorists and neutralised 27 during September operations across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.
One of the major breakthroughs came on September 24, when troops intercepted and rescued 44 members of terrorist families at Konduga in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
The group comprised 13 women and 31 children who had fled their enclaves amid clashes between rival terrorist factions.
The theatre also witnessed a sustained wave of surrenders, with more than 70 terrorists and family members turning themselves in at locations including Monguno, Pulka, Gwoza, Dikwa, Bama and Ngala.
Troops simultaneously targeted the terrorists’ support networks, arresting suspected logistics suppliers, informants and collaborators and recovering foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, cash and other materials allegedly destined for terrorist groups.
For the third quarter, Operation Hadin Kai recorded 273 terrorists neutralised, 348 arrested and 297 kidnapped victims rescued, while 331 insurgents and their families surrendered.
In the North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma rescued 171 kidnapped victims, arrested 26 terrorists and neutralised seven during September operations across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States.
A major air operation on September 17 disrupted the movement of terrorists transporting kidnapped victims around Bazama in Sakaba LGA of Kebbi State, allowing more than 60 victims to escape.
Troops also rescued five victims, including the Executive Chairman of Bungudu LGA of Zamfara State, at Sekpore Village in Kaura Namoda.
During the quarter, the operation recorded 230 terrorists neutralised, 147 arrested and 508 kidnapped victims rescued.
North-Central operations yield major rescues
The military also recorded significant rescue operations in the North-Central.
Under Operation Savannah Shield, troops rescued 27 kidnapped victims and neutralised five terrorists during September.
At Muchiya Village in Rafi LGA of Niger State, troops rescued 22 kidnap victims in a single operation on September 15 and reunited them with their families.
Troops also defused 12 Improvised Explosive Devices discovered around Borgu and Kaiama LGAs of Niger and Kwara States, preventing further disruption to movement along affected routes.
Meanwhile, Operation Enduring Peace recorded 28 rescued victims and 155 arrests across Bauchi, Kaduna and Plateau States.
In one of the major operations, troops working with Forest Guards ambushed suspected kidnappers at Kudu Yamma in Ningi LGA of Bauchi State, neutralising three and rescuing six victims.
For the quarter, the operation recorded 16 terrorists neutralised, 344 arrested and 74 kidnapped victims rescued.
Operation Whirl Stroke, covering Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba States, recorded the rescue of 320 kidnapped victims in September, alongside 57 arrests and one terrorist neutralised.
Among the operations was the rescue of 18 passengers after a bus was abducted at Andaha Community along the Jos-Akwanga Road in Akwanga LGA of Nasarawa State.
Troops also raided the residence of a suspected kidnap kingpin in Lafia, Nasarawa State, arresting the suspect and recovering a locally made revolver, military-style uniforms, a luxury vehicle and cash.
The operation recorded 397 kidnapped victims rescued during the third quarter, alongside 202 arrests and nine terrorists neutralised.
Military targets oil theft networks in Niger Delta
Beyond kidnapping and terrorism, troops also intensified operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining in the South-South.
Operation Delta Safe recorded the arrest of 33 criminals, destruction of eight illegal refining sites and recovery of more than 304,822 litres of petroleum products during September.
The recovered products included crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil, Dual Purpose Kerosene and Premium Motor Spirit.
Troops uncovered approximately 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil around Aworkiri on September 8, while another operation at Bethel Creek in Rivers State yielded about 182,000 litres on September 22.
The Nigerian Navy, under Operation Delta Sentinel, also discovered and deactivated two illegal refining sites at Ogbogolo Community in Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State.
The operation yielded about 33,800 litres of petroleum products, comprising 28,520 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,280 litres of stolen crude oil.
Cumulatively, Operation Delta Safe recorded 181 criminals arrested, 104 illegal refining sites destroyed and more than 1.61 million litres of petroleum products recovered during the quarter.
Troops disrupt secessionist and arms networks in South-East
In the South-East, Operation Udo Ka recorded the arrest of 28 suspects, the neutralisation of three criminals and the rescue of six kidnapped victims during September.
Troops dismantled an illegal bunkering site in Imo State and destroyed about 1,300 litres of stolen crude oil.
They also arrested a suspected Improvised Explosive Device fabrication expert linked to a secessionist group along the Umulolo Junction-Linka-Ihube axis near Okigwe.
In another operation at Obibi Forest in Orsu LGA of Imo State, suspected secessionist terrorists fled, abandoning a General Purpose Machine Gun, a rifle, ammunition and a motorcycle.
Troops also rescued a woman who had allegedly been kidnapped about two months earlier from her hairdressing salon.
Military combines operations with community engagement
Onoja said the military was complementing combat operations with civil-military initiatives aimed at strengthening relations with host communities and reducing vulnerabilities that could fuel insecurity.
In Enugu, the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association graduated beneficiaries of its skills acquisition programme, with participants trained in fashion designing, baking and catering and provided with start-up materials.
The Armed Forces, in partnership with the Nwanna Arinze Foundation, also distributed school bags and books to pupils and students in military schools in Enugu under a Back-to-School initiative.
In Yobe State, troops conducted an anti-drug awareness campaign for more than 300 students, highlighting the links between substance abuse, youth vulnerability and national security.
Onoja said the Armed Forces would sustain both kinetic and non-kinetic operations to consolidate security gains, protect civilians and safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity.