The Nigerian military says 27 terrorists were killed during coordinated air strikes on insurgent hideouts in the Tumbuns area of Borno State.
In a statement on Sunday, the Nigerian Army said the operation was carried out by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, targeting terrorist enclaves in Kukawa and Guzamala Local Government Areas.
According to the army, 12 terrorists were killed in an air strike on Dawoshe in Kukawa LGA, while another 15 were eliminated during a separate precision strike on Metele in Guzamala LGA.
The military said the air operations formed part of a broader series of intelligence-led missions conducted across several states over the weekend.
The army said the operations resulted in the arrest of 10 suspected criminals, the rescue of eight kidnap victims and the recovery of arms, ammunition, stolen vehicles and other items.
According to the statement, the joint operations involved both ground and air forces and were carried out in Borno, Plateau, Nasarawa and Akwa Ibom states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
In Borno State, troops also arrested a suspected terrorist along the Mandara Girau-Sabon Gari axis in Biu Local Government Area.
Recovered items included food supplies, communication devices, blankets, herbicides and batteries believed to be intended for insurgents.
The army added that troops foiled a kidnapping attempt near Kareto and rescued six civilians comprising three men and three women without injury.
In Plateau State, troops under Operation Enduring Peace arrested a suspected kidnapper and cattle rustler during a raid in Bokkos Local Government Area.
Items recovered from the suspect included ammunition, an AK-47 magazine, a laptop computer, a mobile phone and military-pattern clothing.
The military also said four suspected criminals were arrested in Jos Local Government Area, where a locally made pistol and ammunition were recovered.
In Nasarawa State, troops rescued two kidnap victims after their captors fled on sighting security personnel.
A follow-up operation led to the discovery of a suspected criminal hideout where troops recovered a locally fabricated pistol, live cartridges, communication devices, foreign and local currencies, as well as N1.8 million suspected to be proceeds of crime.
In the Federal Capital Territory, troops intercepted two suspected carjackers along the Abuja-Lokoja highway and recovered a stolen Mercedes-Benz E350.
The army said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had allegedly stolen the vehicle in Abuja and were attempting to move it out of the city for sale.
Meanwhile, troops conducting anti-crude oil theft operations in Akwa Ibom State recovered about 325 litres of suspected stolen Automotive Gas Oil concealed in sacks within a bush in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.
The military said the recovered products had been handed over to the appropriate authorities.
Ojo Triumph
Follow us on:
