Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have intercepted 180 units of Super Power Explosives reportedly destined for terrorists in Katsina State and arrested two suspects linked to the supply chain.
The arrests were made between August 14 and 15 during intensified operations by troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA across the North West.
According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, in a statement made available to S24 Television, troops intercepted a suspect on August 14 along the Kaura-Zurmi Road in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The suspect was allegedly conveying the explosives to terrorist elements operating in Katsina State.
A second suspect was arrested in Gusau, Zamfara State, on August 15 in connection with the same explosives supply network.
The development was among several operational successes recorded by the military across the country between August 14 and 20.
In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA also recorded a series of rescue operations, with troops recovering 28 abducted victims between August 17 and 19.
The victims were rescued from Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Sabuwa and Kankara in Katsina State, and Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
They were subsequently handed over to local authorities for reunification with their families.
Troops also neutralised two terrorists at Kurudu Village in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State and another two at Garin Kaso Village in Zamfara State.
Rifles, ammunition and motorcycles were recovered during the operations.
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained operations against terrorists and kidnappers across Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Bauchi states.
Troops and local security groups rescued three kidnapped victims from Gwamnare Forest in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, while five others escaped their captors and were reunited with their families.
However, two victims were killed by their captors before troops intervened.
In Borno State, troops neutralised two terrorists during an attack at Mandaraugirau in Biu Local Government Area and recovered rifles, rocket-propelled grenade bombs and other military equipment.
Troops also rescued a 63-year-old Cameroonian national who had been abducted along the Gwoza-Cameroon axis.
The military further reported that 47 family members of terrorists, including women and children, surrendered to troops between August 16 and 20.
Six terrorist fighters also surrendered in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
In the North Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE compelled kidnappers to release 13 victims abducted along the Alloma-Ejule Road in Kogi State.
The victims comprised two men, five women and six children.
Troops also neutralised a suspected kidnap gang leader during an attack on Assakio Community in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Two other members of the gang reportedly escaped with gunshot wounds.
In Taraba State, troops arrested an arms courier and later recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition from a suspected hideout in Jalingo.
Two suspected kidnappers were also arrested in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
In the South South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE continued operations against kidnapping, arms trafficking and crude oil theft.
Troops arrested three suspected kidnappers in Edo State and intercepted another suspect at the Onitsha-Asaba Head Bridge in Delta State.
Seven locally made pistols, ammunition and a camouflage vest were recovered from the suspect.
In Rivers State, troops operating under Operation DELTA SENTINEL disrupted three illegal refining sites in the Egbema axis of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
The operation led to the recovery of about 85,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
The products were concealed in eight dugout pits, sacks and reservoirs.
In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA discovered and safely dismantled multiple Improvised Explosive Devices along the Odumeje-Eketutu-Udah axis in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.
Troops also recovered a locally made pistol and cartridges following an encounter with suspected secessionist elements.
In Anambra State, troops later cleared 11 IEDs during clearance operations towards the Mother Valley in Ihiala Local Government Area.
The operation also led to the recovery of a pistol, ammunition and a radio from a suspected IPOB camp.
Troops additionally dismantled an illegal bunkering site in Abia State and arrested three suspects.
The Defence Headquarters said the operations demonstrate the Armed Forces’ continued efforts to disrupt terrorist and criminal networks, rescue abducted citizens and protect critical national assets.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, commended troops for their sustained efforts across the various theatres while urging members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing useful information to security forces to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
