The Nigerian Army has arrested over 20 suspected terrorists and other suspected criminals in a coordinated nationwide operation within the last 24 hours in its renewed fight against insurgent activities.

In an operational report made available on Sunday at the Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja, it explained that the arrests were made during intelligence-led offensives conducted in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilantes, targeting terrorist hideouts, kidnapping syndicates, and criminal networks operating in several states.

According to the report, in Kogi State, troops of 12 Brigade, in conjunction with the Nigerian Police and vigilantes, conducted offensive operations at Kakuma Ileteju/Origa and Ijumu villages, during which 2 suspected terrorists were arrested and two motorcycles and two chainsaw machines were recovered.

Similarly, it explained that troops of Sector 1 Operation FANSAN YAMMA apprehended a suspected terrorist at Afaka in Kaduna State, who confessed to abandoning a terrorist camp due to internal clashes among terrorist leaders.

According to the report, “In Sokoto State, troops of COAS Intervention Battalion VII with 8 Division Nigerian Army Stalkers cleared multiple villages in Tangaza Local Government Area, destroying a terrorist camp and recovering two camouflage trousers.”

It added that troops also rescued a Nigerien national held captive for over three weeks, further highlighting the cross-border dimension of terrorist activities in Niger State, stressing that the troops neutralised threats by disposing of one IED, apprehending five suspects and destroying terrorist camps and illegal mining sites.

The report further explained that the troops also recorded major successes in rescue operations, saying that in Kwara State, troops swiftly responded to a distress call, forcing terrorists to abandon three kidnapped victims.

In Edo State, the report stated that troops responded to multiple incidents, rescuing victims, apprehending five suspected kidnappers and recovering one AK-47 rifle with nine rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and three mobile phones.

Additional operations led to the rescue of two kidnapped farmers and, in Delta State, troops arrested a suspected IPOB terrorist at Umunede Junction.

It further explained that in the South-South, troops of 2 Brigade conducted raids on drug peddlers’ hideouts in Akwa Ibom State, arresting six suspects and recovering 20kg of cannabis sativa, 120g of Canadian Loud, 27.5g of Colorado, 4.3g of methamphetamine (ice), 15 bottles of codeine, one sachet of tramadol, and N431,500.00.

In Rivers State, troops uncovered and dismantled illegal bunkering infrastructure. Items recovered include four galvanised pipes (about 50m), four hoses (about 100m each), one big empty reservoir, one big drum oven, two big empty receivers, one big coolant, one medium drum oven, and three small coolants.

Others are one small active drum oven containing about 50 litres of AGO, one small empty drum oven, two empty drum receivers, one galvanised pipe (about 15m), two hoses (about 50m each), one receiver, one coolant, and one waste pit.

In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE intercepted criminal elements, arresting nine suspects and recovering one SMG rifle, one locally made revolver rifle, one pistol, 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition, three motorcycles, seven mobile phones, and N35,500.

Additionally, troops in Abia State discovered and handled sacks of suspected stolen crude oil hidden within the Imo River axis in line with operational directives.