NIGERIAN TROOPS NEUTRALIZE SEVERAL TERRORISTS, RESCUE 179 KIDNAPPED VICTIMS.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have neutralised several terrorists and rescued no fewer than 179 kidnapped victims between May 25 and 28.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, who disclosed this in a statement released on Friday in Abuja, noted that the sustained military pressure across various theatres of operation led to the major breakthrough.

Speaking further, he said troops of Operation Hadin Kai achieved major breakthroughs in the North-East, including the neutralisation of terrorists in Taraba and Borno, as well as the arrest of a suspected collaborator in Monguno.

General Onoja also noted that the sustained offensives triggered fresh surrenders, with a family member of a terrorist fleeing the Kimbe enclave in Borno due to mounting pressure.

He further said that troops also repelled a massing of terrorists along the Bam-Buratai axis, neutralising five fighters, while four others were eliminated during an ambush in Yobe.

Meanwhile, in the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma apprehended suspects linked to terrorist groups in Kebbi and Zamfara states, as well as killing three terrorists in separate encounters.

Onoja disclosed that the Nigerian troops under Operation Savannah Shield recorded a major humanitarian success with the release of 148 kidnapped victims, mostly women and children, in Niger.

He also said that, in Kaduna state, troops of Operation Enduring Peace, foiled attacks, rescued victims, and neutralised a notorious kidnap kingpin identified as Idi Yaya.

The Defence however urged members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies, assuring that all information would be treated with confidentiality.