Troops rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Gwagwalada, FCT, Nasarawa

By Kingsley Omonobi

Troops fighting to rid the country of terrorists and other criminal elements have rescued 12 kidnapped victims in Gwagwalada, FCT and Nasarawa state, while two terrorists were eliminated and two others arrested when troops stormed their hideout in rescue engagements.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, while making this known on Friday, said troops also recovered arms and ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles belonging to the gangs.

He said, “Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, between 30 July – 3 August 2025, arrested a suspected gunrunner in Wukari LGA of Taraba State and 15 other criminals in Agatu, Katsina-Ala and Jalingo LGAs of Benue and Taraba States, respectively.

“Troops also conducted operations in Mararaba Gbagir, Gindin Mangoro, Agam, Ndor, Chinkai-Kente and Yaku general areas of Ukum, Guma and Wukari LGAs of Benue and Taraba States, as well as Lokoja and Yagba West LGAs of Kogi State.

“Weapons, large quantities of ammunition and the sum of N842,100.00 were recovered from them. Suspects are in troops’ custody, while the investigation is ongoing.

He disclosed that in the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe foiled oil theft worth over N73.2million (Seventy Three Million, Two Hundred and Eighty Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Ten Naira (N73,289,510.00),  comprising 63,824 litres of stolen crude oil, 11,190 litres of illegally refined DPK.

“Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 4 illegal oil refining sites, 8 crude oil cooking ovens, 14 dugout pits, 6 boats, 2 storage tanks, and 12 drums.

“Other items recovered include pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 5 vehicles.

“Furthermore, 9 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition and some explosives were also recovered.

“Troops, while conducting offensive operations, arrested 9 suspected oil thieves, criminals and kidnappers in Warri North, Ughelli South, Ndokwa West and Oshimili North, LGAs of Delta State, as well as Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State.

“During the encounter, a kidnapper was killed during a gun battle, weapons and ammunition, as well as the sum of N3. 600.000.00 was recovered from the scene.

Troops of Operation Safe Haven conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Mangu, Riyom, and Jos East LGAs of Plateau State. During the operations, they made contact with the extremists.

“During the firefights, troops killed some of the terrorists, arrested 1 criminal and rescued 3 kidnapped victims. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them.  

“Also, between 30 July – 2 August 2025, troops arrested 5 suspected extremists in Mangu, Jos North and Bassa LGAs, Plateau State.

“Troops of Operation Fasan Yamma upscaled their operations, resulting in some terrorists being eliminated and kidnapped victims rescued.

“Between 29 July – 3 August 2025, troops responded to information about terrorist activities in Funtua, Kankara, Kurfi, Chiranchi, Matazu and Malumfashi LGAs of Katsina State as well as Bakura and Tsafe LGAs of Zamfara. They also conducted operations in Arewa Dandi LGA of Kebbi State

“During these operations, some terrorists were killed, 2 of them were arrested, 2 kidnapped victims were rescued, while a wounded victim was evacuated to the hospital for medical attention.

“Relatedly, troops while on offensive operations, eliminated terrorists, arrested 2 of them and rescued 2 kidnapped victims in Anka, Maru and Bukkuyum LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Shanga, Birnin Kebbi and Yauri LGAs of Kebbi State.

“They also conducted operations and rescued 3 kidnapped victims in Wurno LGA of Sokoto State.

“In the North East, ground forces in conjunction with the Air Component and Hybrid forces as well as local security stakeholders, conducted aggressive operations across the theatre between 29 July – 4 August 2025,

“Their effort led to the elimination of terrorists, their logistics suppliers, recovery of weapons, dismantling of terrorists’ networks and support for safe resettlement of displaced persons and their safe return to farming activities.

“The troops conducted kinetic operations against terrorists in the general areas of Ajiri, Sabsawa, Kamura- Buratai, BarnoYasu, and Borgozo and Bitta villages as well as Bulabulin Forest in Megumari, Mafa, Dikwa, Bama, Biu, Magumeri, Ngala, Kaga and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State as well as Gamji village in Damaturu LGA of Yobe State.

“They eliminated scores of terrorists, arrested 5 of them and rescued 2 kidnapped victims.

“Also, between 1 – 4 August 2025, troops conducted operations in Kaga, Ngala and Maiduguri Metropolitan Council of Borno State as well as Damaturu LGA of Yobe State. During the encounters, 7 suspected terrorists’ collaborators were arrested.

“Logistics item, vehicle and motorcycles were also recovered from them, while some IEDs were safely detonated.

“In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka arrested 4 suspected IPOB/ESN members and a kidnapper in Enugu South and Igbo-Eze North LGAs of Enugu State as well as Umuahia South and Ihiala LGAs of Abia and Anambra States respectively.

“Weapons, ammunition and vehicle were recovered from the operations and are in troops custody, while interrogation is ongoing.  

Major Gen Kangye added that “our gallant troops in conjunction with other security agencies as well as Hybride Forces will continue to work together in ensuring that peace and security is returned to all troubled part of the country. “

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