The Nigerian Army has intensified its offensive across the North Central and North West regions as part of efforts to rescue students abducted in Niger, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
A source at the Army Headquarters said that troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) have, within the last 24 hours, recorded breakthroughs, including the neutralisation of terrorists and destruction of their hideouts.
He said that troops of 22 Brigade swiftly responded to the abduction of students from St Mary’s School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, with surveillance aircraft deployed and ground forces tracking the escape routes used by the attackers.
According to him, search operations have now been widened to cover parts of the Audu Fari axis in Borgu Local Government Area.
In a related operation, troops at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gulbin Boka in Mariga Local Government Area laid an ambush for terrorists attempting to regroup near Magaman Daji.
The encounter inflicted losses on the insurgents and led to the recovery of four motorcycles.
He stated: “On the Kebbi front, troops intensifying efforts to rescue students abducted from GGSS Maga on Nov. 17 conducted a major operation around Gando/Sunke Forest in Kebbi and Talata Mafara LGA of Zamfara.
“The strike force destroyed three terrorist camps, forcing the criminals to abandon their hideouts.
Troops also recovered a lost international passport belonging to a female resident of Bagega,” he said.
The source reaffirmed the Army’s resolve to sustain the momentum of ongoing operations until all abducted students regain freedom and criminal networks across the regions are dismantled.