Military rescues 397 kidnapped victims in July - DHQ

Nigerian troops have achieved significant successes in July, rescuing 397 kidnapped victims and neutralizing 102 terrorists and other criminals as military operations intensified nationwide. The Defence Headquarters reported these achievements, highlighting a period of heightened operational tempo across various theaters.

Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed that during July, troops also arrested 345 suspects and recovered 59 weapons along with 1,811 rounds of ammunition. In the North-East, troops under Operation HADIN KAI sustained offensives against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, and Yobe states. This led to the neutralization of 54 terrorists, the arrest of 102, and the rescue of 102 kidnapped victims. Additionally, 57 insurgents and their family members surrendered to troops, indicating the impact of sustained pressure on terrorist enclaves.

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The theatre also recorded a steady trend of surrenders occasioned by sustained offensive pressure on terrorists’ enclaves.

The report detailed a steady trend of surrenders, with several individuals and families of terrorists giving themselves up. Notable among these was a senior ISWAP finance operative, identified as the Chief Finance Officer of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, who surrendered on July 25. He handed over an AK-47 rifle, magazines, ammunition, a motorcycle, and cash, bringing the total number of surrendering terrorists and family members in recent weeks to approximately 46.

Further operations included the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators and the surrender of individuals trained for specific roles within terrorist groups, such as gunboat operators and anti-aircraft gunners for operations in the Lake Chad region. These developments underscore the effectiveness of ongoing land and air offensives in degrading terrorist capabilities and morale across the country.

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The surrender brings to about 46 the number of terrorists and family members who have voluntarily surrendered in recent weeks, reflecting the effectiveness of ongoing land and air offensives in degrading terrorist capabilities and morale.