Nine Persons Flee Terrorist Camps in Borno as Troops Arrest Collaborators, Rescue Kidnap Victims Nationwide

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

Nine persons escaped from Boko Haram and ISWAP camps in Borno State have come into military custody as the Armed Forces of Nigeria intensified operations across the country, leading to the arrest of terrorist collaborators, rescue of kidnap victims and seizure of weapons.

In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, troops of Operation Hadin Kai encountered Ahmad Sheriff and his two children between Kukawa and Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State on May 31. Sheriff told troops he was among 17 persons who fled a terrorist camp in Kangarwa but became separated while attempting to surrender.

The military also disclosed that a woman linked to a terrorist family surrendered to troops from the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area on June 2, citing sustained military pressure. Two other persons who fled the Saha terrorist enclave were rescued and reunited with their families at the Pulka Internally Displaced Persons Camp on June 4, while three women also surrendered from the Mandara Mountains on the same day.

The operations further led to the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators and informants in Biu, Gubio, Kukawa and Ngala local government areas of Borno State, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State and Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised three terrorists in Katsina and Zamfara states, foiled an attempted abduction of farmers in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State and arrested a notorious terrorist kingpin at Shinkafi market.

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace rescued five kidnapped passengers in Ungwan Gora, Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State after discovering an abandoned vehicle and launching a search-and-rescue operation.

In Kogi State, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralised a terrorist in Lokoja Local Government Area and rescued Mrs Adekemi Idowu and her six-month-old baby after kidnappers abducted five persons in Ijalu, Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area. Troops also rescued two kidnap victims in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and arrested two suspects linked to the crime.

The military said other operations led to the arrest of suspected kidnappers in Edo State, suspected IPOB and ESN members in Abia and Anambra states, and the rescue of village chiefs held hostage in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The Chief of Defence staff, Gen Oluyede has commended the troops stating that the operations significantly degraded the capabilities of terrorist and criminal groups across the country and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to protecting lives, rescuing captives and sustaining pressure on all threats to national security.