Troops Save 152 Hostages, Arrest 317 Suspects, and Neutralize 212 Terrorists in Major Security Operation

In a significant military operation across Nigeria over the past week, the nation’s troops have successfully neutralized 212 terrorists, apprehended 317 suspects, and rescued 152 kidnapped individuals. These operations, carried out with heightened vigilance during the festive season, aim to protect citizens from escalating terrorist attacks.

Major-General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, confirmed these achievements in a statement released on Friday in Abuja. The troops have intensified efforts to target terrorist leadership, especially in areas with heightened security risks.

Among the notable arrests were two high-profile terrorists: Hamisu Sale (also known as “Master”) and Abubakar Muhammad, who were detained in separate operations in the North Central region. Both suspects are actively cooperating with the military, providing critical intelligence on the terrorist network. Additionally, in the North West region, Bako Wurgi, another notorious terrorist leader connected to the murder of the Sokoto Monarch, was captured. Despite sustaining gunshot injuries during a firefight, Wurgi passed away but contributed valuable information to support ongoing military actions.

Throughout the operations, the military also dismantled numerous illegal activities. This included the apprehension of 45 individuals involved in oil theft, with an estimated loss of N1.19 billion thwarted. Furthermore, the troops seized a large cache of weapons, including 110 AK-47 rifles, 56 fabricated rifles, and 247 assorted weapons, alongside thousands of rounds of ammunition. In the Niger Delta, significant strides were made against illegal crude oil refining operations, leading to the destruction of 35 crude oil cooking ovens, 61 illegal refining sites, and the recovery of 940,372 liters of stolen crude oil.

The military has pledged to continue these operations to maintain peace and ensure that terrorists are held accountable for any harm caused to citizens. Major-General Buba encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to contribute to the collective security efforts.