Troops bomb scores of terrorists, nab top leader, 60 collaborators

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a high-profile terrorist operative linked to notorious terrorist leader Dogo Gide and 60 suspected collaborators in separate intelligence-led operations across the country, while launching a fresh offensive against terrorists in the North-West.

The operations, recorded between August 12 and 13, also led to the recovery of weapons, military uniforms and other items, according to military authorities.

In Kaduna State, troops of 4 Demonstration Battalion arrested a suspected ISWAP operative at Kadage Check Point while allegedly conveying seven pairs of sewn foreign camouflage uniforms to a terrorist camp.

The military said preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect was a close confidant of Dogo Gide and had been supplying logistics to him. Troops recovered 23 yards of foreign camouflage material, two mobile phones, three ATM cards and an identity card.

In Adamawa State, troops of 226 Battalion, supported by hunters, raided a motor park in Gombi following intelligence on suspected terrorist collaborators allegedly disguising themselves as menial workers and hawkers. The operation led to the arrest of 60 suspects, who are being held for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, launched Operation Clean Sweep IV, a coordinated ground and air offensive aimed at intensifying pressure on terrorists and armed criminal elements.

The Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said: “The operation brings coordinated ground and air actions to bear on identified threats across the North Western States.

“It also has the objective of degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting their movements and logistics, and denying them the opportunity to establish footholds within Nigerian communities.”

In Katsina State, troops of Sector 2 conducted a clearance operation on August 12 around suspected terrorist enclaves in Dutsinma Local Government Area.“The operation mounted significant pressure on the terrorists, compelling them to abandon their positions and withdraw into surrounding bushes. Clearance operation is ongoing in the general area,” Danja said.

In Zamfara State, the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma conducted precision strikes on terrorists who had converged on motorcycles.

in Anka Local Government Area. The strikes reportedly neutralised scores of terrorists and forced survivors to flee into surrounding bushes.

Troops of 1 Brigade also recovered an RPG bomb during a patrol around Tunga-Jambako in Maradun Local Government Area following an earlier terrorist ambush.

In Benue State, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested five suspected terrorists during operations in Chito, Jootar and Ikyior in Ukum Local Government Area. The troops destroyed the suspected enclaves and recovered two motorcycles and two locally fabricated guns.

The military also intercepted five women and seven children suspected to be family members of terrorists in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State. Similarly, six male children were intercepted at Ajiri after reportedly escaping from Murofari Village following clashes between rival terrorist groups.

Danja said a major component of Operation Clean Sweep IV was the effort to contain and dismantle the Lakurawa terrorist network across the theatre.

“The operation is designed to prevent the infiltration and reinforcement of Lakurawa elements into Nigeria while denying the group the opportunity to exploit border areas as corridors for movement, logistics and the establishment of enclaves,” he said.

He added: “The launch of Operation CLEAN SWEEP IV underscores the proactive and sustained posture of Operation Fansan Yamma in confronting evolving terrorist threats across the region.

“The Theatre remains resolute in protecting civilian communities, securing Nigeria’s territorial integrity and denying terrorist elements the opportunity to regroup, reinforce or establish operational footholds.”