By Harriet Tornguvan
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has recorded fresh operational successes across various theatres of operation, with troops neutralising terrorists, rescuing kidnapped victims, intercepting terrorist logistics, and arresting collaborators and gunrunners in coordinated offensives nationwide.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the military said troops sustained aggressive land and air operations aimed at restoring peace and security across the country.
According to the statement, troops of Operation HADIN KAI intensified pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists across Adamawa, Borno, Taraba and Yobe states. On May 8, troops ambushed a terrorist logistics convoy along the Banki-Kumshe Road in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, forcing insurgents crossing from Cameroon into Nigeria to abandon supplies including fuel, medications, food items and motorcycle parts.
The same day, troops at Buni Gari in Gujba LGA of Yobe State repelled a large-scale attack on their camp, killing five terrorists, including a foreign fighter, and recovering arms and ammunition. However, the military disclosed that three soldiers lost their lives during the encounter.
The military also recorded breakthroughs in rescue operations. Following air interdiction missions around the Mandara Mountains, troops rescued 12 abductees, mainly women and children, from Ngoshe community in Borno State between May 13 and 14.
Similarly, troops arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator in Yunusari LGA of Yobe State and a gunrunner in Taraba State, while additional weapons were recovered during patrols in Gamboru Ngala.
In the North-West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA carried out several offensives against bandits in Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna states. Troops rescued 32 kidnapped victims, including women and children, during operations in Matazu LGA of Katsina State after routing terrorists from their enclave.
The operations also led to the recovery of arms, motorcycles and livestock, while multiple terrorists were neutralised in separate ambushes and air strikes across Katsina and Zamfara states.
Troops also arrested suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers in Kaduna and Sokoto states, while border security operations prevented attempts to destroy Nigerian Immigration Service infrastructure near the Niger Republic border.
Under Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, troops engaged terrorists in Niger and Kwara states, recovering weapons, motorcycles, communication gadgets and ammunition after repelling attacks on military positions.
The statement added that troops protecting the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline maintained effective security coverage of critical national infrastructure.
In the North Central region, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested suspected kidnappers and gunrunners across Nasarawa, Plateau and Kaduna states, while Operation WHIRL STROKE troops rescued kidnap victims and neutralised terrorists in Benue and Kogi states.
One of the rescued victims was identified as ASP Usman Ogbobi of the Police Mobile Force, Force Headquarters Abuja, who escaped from kidnappers alongside another victim in Benue State.
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE intensified anti-crude oil theft and anti-kidnapping operations across Edo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Delta states.
The operations led to the recovery of stolen petroleum products, illegal crude oil, and crude oil theft infrastructure estimated at about N600 million in Rivers State. Troops also arrested suspected criminal collaborators linked to kidnappings and shootings in the region.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained operations against IPOB/ESN elements in the South-East, arresting suspects and recovering weapons in Abia and Anambra states.
The Defence Headquarters further highlighted the military’s non-kinetic operations, including a medical outreach programme by the Nigerian Air Force in Maiduguri, where residents received free medical consultations, drugs and relief materials.
In Zamfara State, the Nigerian Army donated 400 bags of fertiliser to farmers in Maru LGA through Operation FANSAN YAMMA to support food production ahead of the farming season.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their gallantry and professionalism, while paying tribute to personnel who lost their lives in active service.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to defeating terrorism, separatist violence, kidnapping, oil theft and other criminal activities threatening national security.
The CDS also urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with timely intelligence, noting that community collaboration remained vital to operational successes recorded across the country.
