Troops arrest ‘high-profile terrorist informants’, rescue 188 kidnap victims in one week

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested two “high-profile terrorist informants” and rescued 188 hostages across the country within one week.

In a statement on Thursday, Edward Buba, the director of defence media operations, identified the suspects as Patience Tersoo and Nguemu Emmanuel.

Buba noted that the troops also killed 165 persons, arrested 238 individuals and 35 perpetrators of oil theft.

Buba added that the troops recovered 153 assorted weapons and 2,182 assorted ammunition which include 81 AK47 rifles, 23 fabricated rifles, 27 dane guns, 13 pump action guns, 5 locally made pistols, 3 revolver pistols, 30 AK47 magazines and one bayonet.

‘Troops also recovered 561 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 278 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 70 rounds of 50mm ammo, 72 rounds of 9mm ammo, 87 live cartridges, one baofeng radio, 19 vehicles, 21 motorcycles, 45 mobile phones and the sum of N64,100 amongst other items,” he said.

Buba said that troops of operation Hadin Kai killed  83 terrorists, arrested 56 suspects and rescued 50 kidnappers hostages.

He added that 74 terrorists, including 22 adult males, 28 adult females, and 24 children, surrendered to troops between October  2 and 8.

Buba said troops of operation Safe Haven killed 8 violent extremists, arrested 39 violent extremists and rescued 33 kidnapped hostages.

He noted that the troops of operation Whirl Stroke killed 11 terrorists, arrested 17 violent extremists and rescued 36 kidnapped hostages in the north central.

Buba added that troops of operation Hadarin Daji also killed 40 terrorists, arrested 21 and rescued 23 kidnapped hostages in the north west.

He said the air component of the operation conducted strikes on the enclave of terrorists’ kingpin, Ado Ailero, in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara state, killing several ‘hibernating’ bandits and destroying their logistics.

Buba added that troops of operation Whirl Punch neutralised 7 terrorists, arrested 46 suspects and rescued 24 kidnapped hostages in the north-west.

He said troops of operation Delta Safe recovered 789,200 litres of stolen crude oil and 64,950 litres of illegally refined AGO.

The defence spokesperson noted that the troops also discovered and destroyed 2 dugout pits, 58 boats and 39 storage tanks.

Other items recovered include 13 cooking ovens, 35 drums, one motorcycle, one tricycle, 4 speed boats,  13 vehicles, 2 assorted arms and 65 illegal refining sites.

The troops also rescued one kidnapped hostage and apprehended 35 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists.

 Buba noted that the troops of operation Udo Ka killed 9 terrorists, arrested 21 violent extremists and rescued 14 kidnapped hostages.

He said the air component conducted strikes on IPOB/ESN terrorist camp at Mother Valley in Orsu and Ihiala LGAs of Imo and Anambra states, killing several terrorists and destroying their structure and logistics.

“All recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further action,” Buba added.