In a series of coordinated military operations across the country, Nigerian troops have intercepted 44 family members of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and rescued nine kidnapped victims, including a local government chairman.
An operational report released on Friday detailed successful engagements by security forces across Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Benue, Taraba, and Edo states, resulting in the arrest of several criminal suspects and the recovery of arms and illegal contraband.
In the North-East, troops from the 222 Battalion intercepted 43 ISWAP family members at Kawuri in Konduga Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.
Preliminary investigations indicate the group escaped from a terrorist enclave in Yuwe amid intense clashes between rival Boko Haram factions (JAS) and ISWAP. The individuals were handed over to the 7 Multinational Intervention Brigade for administrative and security processing.
Additionally, troops from the 192 Battalion intercepted a female ISWAP family member along the Gwoza-Limankara road. She reportedly fled a terrorist hideout located at Chikide on the Mandara Mountains.Rescues in Zamfara and Anti-Banditry Strikes.
In the North-West, troops of 1 Brigade executed a targeted operation around Sekpore village in Kaura Namoda LGA, Zamfara State, rescuing five kidnapped victims. Among those freed was the Chairman of Bungudu LGA.
The victims had been relocated from an enclave in Abaniyawa due to sustained military pressure. After troops established tactical blocking positions near Sekpore and Sabon Gari, several hostages escaped, with four receiving medical treatment at the 1 Brigade Medical Centre and one reunited with family.
In a separate response along the Gusau-Sokoto road, troops of Counter-Terrorism 4 repelled an attack on a civilian vehicle, forcing the assailants to retreat into the bush and successfully rescuing four occupants.
Arrests, Arms Recovery, and Operations Across RegionsSecurity forces recorded additional operational successes across multiple states:
Borno State: Troops of the 149 Battalion, alongside the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), arrested a suspected kidnapper in Gubio town. The arrest led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and a loaded magazine with 12 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition in Ardimini village.
Yobe State: A joint operation by the 159 Task Force Battalion and the Nigerian Forest Guards led to the arrest of a suspected terrorist collaborator at Geidam market, with $N296,000$ in cash and a mobile device recovered.
Niger State: Troops under Operation Savannah Shield raided and destroyed a deserted terrorist camp at Alogomo in Edu LGA, recovering an AK-47 magazine loaded with eight rounds of live ammunition.
Benue and Taraba States: Operation Whirl Stroke personnel arrested two suspected kidnappers along the Otukpo-Makurdi road, recovering an AK-47 rifle, 25 rounds of ammunition, and a motorcycle. Troops also apprehended an alleged gunrunner in Adikpo, Kwande LGA, as well as two impostors operating across Benue and Taraba.
Edo State: In the South-South, military personnel collaborated with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to raid and destroy two extensive cannabis plantations at Oke Camp and Eko Camp 1 & 2 in Esan South-East LGA. Four suspects were taken into custody and handed over to the NDLEA alongside seized illicit drugs.
The military reaffirmed commitment to sustaining pressure on violent non-state actors and restoring security across all operational theatres.
