Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed 17 terrorists, arrested 85 suspects, and rescued 10 kidnapped victims in a series of coordinated operations conducted across the country within the past 48 hours.

A credible source at the Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the operations took place across multiple theatres nationwide, yielding significant breakthroughs against criminal networks.

According to the source, the arrested suspects included Boko Haram informants, logistics suppliers, terrorist collaborators, drug peddlers, and kidnappers, while the rescued victims were safely evacuated for profiling and medical evaluation.

In the North-East, troops under Operation Hadin Kai sustained aggressive counter-terrorism efforts under sub-operations Desert Sanity IV and Diligent Search, resulting in several encounters with Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Borno and Adamawa States.

Troops of 202 and 222 Battalions reportedly came under ambush during an operation around Goni Kurmi and Kashomri villages in Konduga Local Council, Borno State, but fought gallantly, neutralising several terrorists.

Similarly, troops of 195 Battalion, working with the Department of State Services (DSS), arrested a notorious Boko Haram/ISWAP informant and ransom collector at the Customs Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Jere Local Council. The suspect was tracked through monitored phone calls and bank transactions.

The troops also recovered an AK-47 rifle earlier stolen by terrorists, rescued two kidnapped victims who had escaped captivity, and apprehended three major logistics suppliers transporting food and materials intended for ISWAP cells in Alagarno.

“In Adamawa, troops of 144 Battalion intercepted seven vehicles and nine motorcycles conveying 368 bags of cement suspected to be heading to terrorist enclaves in Madagali Local Council,” the source added.

He said troops also foiled infiltration attempts in Buratai, Biu Local Council of Borno, with air support from the Nigerian Air Force, while other units recovered N4.77 million cash, six mobile phones, and two bicycles abandoned by fleeing insurgents along the Maiduguri–Damboa Road.

In the North-West, troops under Operation Fansan Yamma carried out clearance and stabilisation operations in Sokoto and Zamfara States.

The source said 69 suspected drug peddlers were arrested in raids on several communities in Sokoto South Local Council, while five alleged terrorist collaborators were apprehended in Gudu Local Council.

He added that troops also rescued a civilian injured during a terrorist attack along the Faru–Bagabbuzi Road in Maradun Local Council of Zamfara State.

In the North-Central region, troops of Operation Enduring Peace rescued one kidnapped victim at Dorowa in Barkin Ladi Local Council of Plateau State.