The Nigerian Army has apprehended no fewer than 20 suspected kidnappers and rescued nine abducted persons during coordinated operations carried out across the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions within 24 hours.
According to a statement shared on Sunday via the Army’s official Facebook page, the operations also yielded the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and other materials believed to be linked to criminal activities.
The statement noted that the intensified offensives were part of ongoing efforts by troops to dismantle terrorist cells and other criminal networks operating in different parts of the country.
It read in part, “In a series of decisive operations conducted within the last 24 hours, troops successfully disrupted criminal elements nationwide, leading to the arrest of 20 high-profile suspects, recovery of an AK-47 rifle with specialised ammunition, and the rescue of nine kidnapped victims.”
The Army added that the coordinated strikes significantly weakened the operational capacity of insurgent groups by cutting off their logistics supply lines.
Providing a breakdown of the operations, the statement disclosed that in the North-East, troops of the 21 Special Armoured Brigade carried out raids in Borno State, leading to the arrest of 14 suspects, including individuals allegedly linked to a notorious kidnap kingpin, Baba Ali.
It further revealed that items such as bags of fertiliser, suspected to be used in the production of improvised explosive devices, were recovered during the operation.
The Army also disclosed that insurgents fled their hideouts in Marte Local Government Area following sustained military pressure, abandoning bicycles and other supplies.
In the North-West, troops operating in Kaduna State were said to have recovered stolen livestock and successfully rescued three kidnapped victims after engaging terrorists at Lahin Dan Auta.
The victims have since been reunited with their families.
Meanwhile, in the North-Central zone, operations in Benue State led to the rescue of six victims and the arrest of a suspected human trafficker during a raid in Gwer West Local Government Area.
The statement added that a separate patrol in Guma Local Government Area resulted in the arrest of three suspected terrorists, alongside the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 27 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Reaffirming its commitment, the Army assured Nigerians of its resolve to sustain ongoing offensives against criminal elements across the country.
It also called on members of the public to remain alert and continue to support security agencies with credible and timely information.