Troops Rescue 117 Hostages, Arrest 150 Suspects in Nationwide Operations – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters on Friday announced that troops, in multiple operations across the country, rescued 117 hostages and apprehended 150 suspects, including terrorists, oil thieves, and other criminals, within the past week.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, revealed in a statement that the successes were achieved through renewed operational strategies, which have boosted security and enabled farmers to safely return to their fields. He assured that the momentum would be sustained throughout the farming season and beyond.

In the North East, troops arrested 11 terrorist collaborators, freed five hostages, and secured the surrender of a fighter linked to the Abu Ayuba group in Kwayari village, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State on August 20. Several ammunition, logistics supplies, vehicles, motorcycles, illicit drugs, and ₦70,050 were recovered, while improvised explosive devices were safely detonated in Abadam, Gwoza, and Mobbar LGAs.

Similarly, in the North West, troops arrested 35 suspected terrorists and rescued 76 hostages during clearance operations.

In the South East, nine suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) were arrested in operations across Imo, Enugu, Abia, and Anambra States.

Kangye further disclosed that in the South South, 48 suspects, including 33 oil thieves, were arrested, while 12 illegal refining sites were destroyed. Recovered products, valued at ₦443,153,650, included 294,500 litres of stolen crude oil and 188,450 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). Troops also discovered 13 crude oil cooking ovens, 19 dugout pits, eight boats, 16 storage tanks, and pumping machines.

Additional operations in Delta and Rivers States led to the arrest of 13 suspects and the rescue of two kidnapped victims in Sapele, Aniocha North, Ughelli, Ahoada, and Onelga LGAs.

Kangye reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to tackling insecurity and sustaining pressure on criminal elements across the country.