The Nigerian military says its troops rescued more than 40 kidnapped victims during nationwide operations carried out between July 10 and 16.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying the operations also led to the arrest of more than 20 suspected terrorists, collaborators and other criminals, while several terrorists were killed.
According to him, the operations were conducted under Operations Hadin Kai, Fansan Yamma, Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace, Whirl Stroke, Delta Safe and UDO KA, in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilantes.
In the North-East, troops rescued 13 kidnapped victims, arrested six suspected terrorist collaborators, received the surrender of 10 terrorists’ family members and apprehended a suspected foreign spy in Borno State.
Troops also rescued 14 kidnapped victims in Zamfara and Kebbi states, four in Niger and Kwara states, four in Plateau and Kaduna states, three abductees in Edo State, and a school principal, a NECO official and two students abducted during an attack on an examination centre in Kogi State.
Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops and other security agencies for their efforts, including the operation that secured the release of the 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State after 56 days in captivity. He urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence.
