The Armed Forces of Nigeria says troops have killed at least 35 terrorists, rescued 20 prospective corps members abducted in Imo State and neutralised a senior ISWAP commander in Ondo State during nationwide operations between October 2 and 8.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in a statement signed and released on Saturday, reviewing the military’s operational gains across the country.
In Borno State, troops backed by the Air Component repelled an ISWAP assault on Kukawa, killing 25 terrorists and recovering rifles, ammunition, rocket-propelled grenade bombs and other weapons.
The military also recorded a major breakthrough in Ondo State with the killing of Abdussamad Ohida, a senior ISWAP commander accused of planning large-scale attacks in parts of southern Nigeria ahead of the festive season.
In the South-East, troops rescued 20 prospective NYSC corps members and a woman abducted along the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Imo State following sustained security pressure. Other operations led to the rescue of 18 kidnap victims in Katsina State, a seven-year-old boy in Kaduna State and several other abductees.
The military also intensified its offensive against banditry, arms trafficking and oil theft, arresting suspected terrorist collaborators and recovering illegal weapons. In Rivers State, troops uncovered three illegal refining sites and seized about 2,500 litres of suspected stolen Premium Motor Spirit.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their performance and urged them to sustain the operational tempo, particularly as the festive season approaches.
He also called for stronger cooperation among security agencies and urged Nigerians to report individuals providing support to terrorists and other criminal groups.
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