By Sumaila Ogbaje

Nigerian Army troops arrested 47 suspected criminals, rescued several kidnapped victims and neutralised a suspected terrorist in nationwide operations in the last 24 hours.

The troops also recovered suspected stolen and rustled livestock, detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) and disrupted criminal activities across Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Plateau, Anambra, Imo and Kaduna States.

An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, said troops of Operation MESA arrested the 47 suspects during a raid in Nasarawa State.

The report said the troops of 177 Guards Battalion, in conjunction with the Department of State Services (DSS), Police and Civilian Joint Task Force, raided suspected criminal hideouts at Tipper Garage and Gidan Drama in Karu Local Government Area of the state.

It said the troops recovered two motorcycles, an unspecified quantity of suspected cannabis, 32 mobile phones, a laptop and charger, four wristwatches, five power banks and an ATM card.

According to the report, the suspects and recovered items were handed over to the Police Division in Karu for further investigation.

In Zamfara, the report said the troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued three civilians who sustained gunshot wounds after engaging terrorists along the Dampo-Rumba Road in Bakura Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Bakura, for medical attention.

According to the report, troops responding to a kidnapping incident along the Dandume-Damari Road in Katsina also engaged the terrorists, forcing them to abandon their victims and flee.

“The troops recovered one vehicle during the operation.

“Similarly, troops responding to terrorist activities along the Isa-Girnashe Road in Sokoto rescued two kidnapped victims after engaging the terrorists.

“One of the victims, however, was confirmed dead from gunshot wounds.

“The troops also intercepted five trucks conveying 117 cows, two donkeys, one goat and five cow skins suspected to have been stolen at Magami in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara.

“The recovered livestock were handed over to the Chairman, Committee on Recovery of Rustled Cattle, Gusau, for further action.

“In another operation in Tsafe, Zamfara, troops intercepted a suspected stolen vehicle with the support of the National Security Adviser’s tracking team.

“The driver reportedly abandoned the vehicle and fled after being intercepted, while the vehicle was recovered to the unit headquarters for further action,” it said.

In Niger, the report revealed that troops of Operation Savannah Shield discovered and safely detonated an IED along the Dekara-Gewazi Road in Borgu Local Government Area.

It added that troops of Operation Enduring Peace neutralised a suspected terrorist during an offensive operation at Ungwan Nungu in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna.

The report further revealed that troops engaged the suspects, killing one while others fled the scene.

“At Yangwari Market in Mangu Local Government Area, troops intervened after unidentified gunmen opened fire on a vehicle conveying passengers and foodstuffs.

“Eight passengers who sustained gunshot wounds were evacuated to Allah-na-Kowa Hospital, where three were confirmed dead while others received treatment,” it added.

In the South-East, the report said the troops of Operation UDO KA arrested suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) during offensive operations along the Azia-Uli-Okija axis.

It added that three suspects were apprehended while attempting to escape through Orsu-Ihiteukwa in Imo, but one was neutralised while trying to evade arrest.

According to the report, the remaining suspects were handed over to the DSS for further action.

“Troops also arrested two suspected IPOB/ESN members at Azia, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra, following intelligence linking them with the group’s activities.

“The suspects reportedly confessed to delivering items to terrorists on two occasions and remained in military custody for further action.

“In Imo, troops conducting anti-illegal bunkering operations discovered an illegal refining site containing about 720 litres of illegally refined crude oil and 41 cooking drums at Egbema.

“All recovered items were handled in line with extant regulations,” it said. (NAN)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola