THE air component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has killed no fewer than 27 terrorists in coordinated air strikes targeting insurgent hideouts in the Tumbuns area of Borno State, as the Nigerian military intensified operations against criminal elements across several parts of the country.
According to a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Monday by the Nigerian Army, 12 insurgents were eliminated during an air strike on Dawoshe in Kukawa Local Government Area, while another 15 terrorists were killed in a separate precision strike conducted at Metele in Guzamala Local Government Area of the state.
The Army said the successful air assaults formed part of a broader series of intelligence-led operations carried out over the weekend, which also resulted in the arrest of 10 suspected criminals, the rescue of eight kidnapped victims, and the recovery of arms, ammunition, stolen vehicles and other criminal assets.
News Point Nigeria reports that the operations involved coordinated land and air components and were conducted across Borno, Plateau, Nasarawa and Akwa Ibom states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), underscoring the military’s continued efforts to combat terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery and other forms of criminality.
Providing details of the operations in the North-East, the Army disclosed that ground troops in Borno apprehended a suspected terrorist along the Mandara-Girau-Sabon Gari axis in Biu Local Government Area.
Recovered items from the suspect included a cache of supplies believed to be destined for insurgents, including food items, communication devices, blankets, herbicides and batteries.
“Ground troops in Borno also apprehended a suspected terrorist along the Mandara Girau Sabon Gari axis in Biu Local Government Area. Recovered items included a cache of supplies believed to be destined for insurgents, such as food items, communication devices, blankets, herbicides and batteries,” the Army stated.
The military further revealed that troops thwarted a kidnapping attempt near Kareto and successfully rescued six civilians comprising three men and three women without sustaining any injuries.
“Also, in a separate incident near Kareto, troops foiled a kidnapping attempt and successfully rescued six civilians comprising three men and three women without injury,” the statement added.
In Plateau State, troops under Operation Enduring Peace arrested a suspected kidnapper and cattle rustler during a raid in Bokkos Local Government Area.
Items recovered from the suspect included ammunition, an AK-47 magazine, a laptop computer, a mobile phone and military-pattern clothing.
The Army also disclosed that four additional suspected criminals were apprehended in Jos Local Government Area, where security personnel recovered a locally fabricated pistol and ammunition.
Meanwhile, in Nasarawa State, troops rescued two kidnapped victims after their abductors fled upon sighting advancing security forces.
According to the Army, a follow-up operation led troops to a criminal hideout where several items linked to criminal activities were recovered.
The recovered exhibits included a locally fabricated pistol, live cartridges, communication devices, foreign and local currencies, as well as N1.8 million suspected to be proceeds of crime.
In the Federal Capital Territory, troops intercepted two suspected carjackers along the Abuja-Lokoja highway and recovered a stolen Mercedes-Benz E350 vehicle.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had forcefully taken the vehicle in Abuja and were attempting to transport it out of the city for sale,” the Army said.
The military also reported gains in the South-South region, where troops conducting anti-crude oil theft operations in Akwa Ibom State uncovered and recovered approximately 325 litres of suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The products, according to the Army, had been concealed in sacks within a bush in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.
“Meanwhile, in the South-South region, troops conducting anti-crude oil theft operations in Akwa Ibom State recovered approximately 325 litres of suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), concealed in sacks within a bush in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.
“The recovered products have been handed over to the appropriate authorities,” the statement added.
The latest operations reflect the military’s sustained offensive against terrorism, kidnapping, cattle rustling, crude oil theft and other criminal activities across the country, with security forces continuing to combine intelligence gathering, air power and ground operations to disrupt criminal networks and restore security in affected communities.