In a sweeping show of force and resilience, the Nigerian Army has dismantled several terrorist cells and rescued 17 kidnapped victims in a series of coordinated operations conducted over the past 48 hours. The offensive, spanning multiple regions of the country, also led to the arrest of 20 suspects.
According to a credible military source at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, the simultaneous operations took place across the Northeast, Northwest, North Central, and South-South regions, marking one of the army’s most extensive drives in recent times. Troops of the 192 Battalion, working alongside the Civilian Joint Task Force, neutralized two Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters during a fierce encounter in Hudugum village, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Meanwhile, three terrorists — identified as Fannami Ari (aka Abu Dujana), Hussaini Hassan Modu (aka Abu Yusuf), and another unnamed recruit — surrendered to troops in Kukawa and Damboa LGAs. The trio reportedly cited deteriorating conditions in their camps and a growing loss of faith in their leaders as reasons for surrendering.
In the North-West, troops from the 1 Brigade thwarted two kidnap attempts and successfully rescued 11 victims along the Magami–Jan Gemi and Kucheri–Bilbis routes in Zamfara State. Similar success was recorded in the North-Central zone, where 15 criminal suspects were apprehended and four kidnapped victims freed during clearance operations across Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, and Kaduna States.
Further south, troops uncovered and dismantled two illegal oil refining sites at Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State. In a related operation, 62 sacks of stolen crude oil were seized in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State.
The military source reaffirmed the army’s unwavering commitment to national security, stating that under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, the force remains determined to maintain operational momentum and ensure peace across the country.
This latest development underscores the army’s evolving strategy to combine intelligence, regional collaboration, and community support in its fight against terrorism, banditry, and economic sabotage.
