Abuja: Nigerian Army troops arrested 47 suspected criminals, rescued several kidnapped victims, and neutralized a suspected terrorist in nationwide operations within the last 24 hours. The operations also led to the recovery of suspected stolen and rustled livestock, detonation of an improvised explosive device (IED), and disruption of criminal activities across Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Plateau, Anambra, Imo, and Kaduna States.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, an operational report highlighted that troops of Operation MESA arrested 47 suspects during a raid in Nasarawa State. The 177 Guards Battalion, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), Police, and Civilian Joint Task Force, conducted the raid at suspected criminal hideouts in Karu Local Government Area. Recovered items included two motorcycles, suspected cannabis, 32 mobile phones, a laptop, and various personal belongings, all handed over to the local police for further investigation.
In Zamfara, Operation Fansan Yamma troops rescued three civilians with gunshot wounds after an encounter with terrorists along the Dampo-Rumba Road in Bakura Local Government Area. The victims were taken to the General Hospital, Bakura, for medical care. In Katsina, troops responding to a kidnapping incident forced terrorists to abandon their victims, recovering a vehicle in the process.
Similarly, troops in Sokoto rescued two kidnapped victims along the Isa-Girnashe Road, although one victim succumbed to gunshot wounds. In another operation, troops intercepted livestock suspected to be stolen in Gusau, Zamfara, with the animals handed over to local authorities for further action. A separate operation in Tsafe, Zamfara, led to the recovery of a vehicle after the driver escaped.
In Niger, troops of Operation Savannah Shield discovered and safely detonated an IED on the Dekara-Gewazi Road in Borgu Local Government Area. Meanwhile, Operation Enduring Peace troops neutralized a suspected terrorist in Kaduna’s Sanga Local Government Area during an offensive operation.
In Mangu Local Government Area, troops intervened after gunmen attacked a passenger vehicle, resulting in three deaths and several injuries, with survivors receiving medical treatment. In the South-East, Operation UDO KA troops arrested suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) during operations in Anambra and Imo, with suspects handed over to the DSS for further action. Additional arrests and discovery of illegal refining sites were also reported in the region.