The military claims more than 40 kidnapping victims were rescued in one week

Nigerian military authorities said more than 40 kidnapping victims had been rescued, and more than 20 suspected terrorists, collaborators and other criminal elements had been arrested in coordinated operations across the country in the past week between July 10 and July 16.

Director of Defense Media Operations Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, stated this on Saturday in Abuja in his statement on military operations nationwide.

Onoja later said that during the operation the troops also neutralized several terrorists and dismantled criminal networks.

He said the success was recorded by troops of Operations Hadin Kai, Fansan Yamma, Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace, Whirl Stroke, Delta Safe and Udo Ka in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups.

He said Operation Hadin Kai troops continued to exert pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the North East, which led to the surrender of 10 family members of the terrorists; arrest of six suspected logistics suppliers and collaborators; as well as rescuing 13 kidnapping victims.

According to him, troops also thwarted infiltration attempts around Maiduguri, neutralized terrorists during ambush operations and arrested suspected foreign spies in Mallam Fatori in Borno State.

In the North West, Onoja said Operation Fansan Yamma troops captured terrorist collaborators, neutralized three terrorists and rescued 14 kidnapped victims in separate operations in Zamfara and Kebbi states.

READ ALSO: UNICAL fires 8 staff due to alleged exam fraud, absenteeism, etc

He said troops also recovered vehicles and other belongings of the fleeing terrorists and managed to repel attacks on several communities.

A defense spokesman said Operation Savannah Shield troops rescued four kidnapped victims in Niger and Kwara states, while rangers neutralized a suspected terrorist and recovered an AK-47 rifle, magazine and firearm during an operation in Kwara.

He added that Operation Eternal Peace troops intercepted suspected arms smugglers in Kaduna State, arrested suspected criminals in Plateau State and rescued four kidnap victims after thwarting an attack along a major highway.

According to him, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested an ammunition courier carrying 60 rounds of ammunition in Nasarawa State and four suspected terrorist collaborators in Kogi State.

He said troops also rescued a school principal, a NECO official and two students kidnapped in an attack on an examination center in Dekina Local Government Area of ​​Kogi after persistent pressure forced the kidnappers to abandon them.

Onoja said troops of Operation Delta Safe continued the fight against crude oil theft by locating and destroying illegal refining sites in Rivers State containing stolen crude oil and refining equipment.

He added that troops also neutralized two suspected kidnappers in Edo State, recovered three rifles and ammunition, and rescued three kidnap victims.

In the Southeast, Onoja said troops of Operation UDO KA arrested suspected members of a banned separatist group, recovered arms and ammunition and rescued two kidnap victims along the Aba–Port Harcourt Highway.

He said the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for their professionalism, courage and dedication in all theaters of operation.

According to him, the CDS also commended the intelligence-led collaboration among security agencies that resulted in the unconditional rescue of 44 students and teachers kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area of ​​Oyo State after 56 days of captivity without any concession to the kidnappers.

He urged Nigerians to continue supporting the armed forces and other security agencies with timely and credible information, ensuring that ongoing operations will be maintained until peace, security and stability are fully restored across the country.