Military dislodges terrorists in Kwara, intensifies operations
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said troops under Operation Savannah Shield have dislodged terrorists from identified checkpoints and hideouts in Kwara and Niger states, restricting their operations in the areas. The
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said troops under Operation Savannah Shield have dislodged terrorists from identified checkpoints and hideouts in Kwara and Niger states, restricting their operations in the areas.
The military high command disclosed this on Friday in a statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja.
Operation Savannah Shield swung into action in Kwara State following last week’s terrorist attack on the Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the movement of 1 battalion of troops to the area in the wake of the attack in which more than 100 people were killed.
The DHQ had said on Tuesday that the operation, which will also take charge of Niger State, would fish out the terrorists who killed people for justice to be served.
According to Maj.-Gen. Onoja, the troops conducted offensive operations covering Kwara and Niger states and denied terrorists freedom of action in the region.
He said, “Significantly, they conducted operations in Borgu and Mokwa Local Government Areas of Niger State, and Baruten, Edu, and Ifelodun Local Government Areas of Kwara State.
“In the course of their operations, troops identified terrorist checkpoints and hibernating areas and dislodged them. Troops continue to respond to information on the movement and activities of the terrorists in the area."
Giving an update on troop operations over the past three days, the defence spokesperson said troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the North East have continued to sustain operational momentum, denying Boko Haram splinter groups freedom of action across the region.
He said ground troops, in collaboration with Air Component, hybrid forces, and local security groups, conducted aggressive, intelligence-driven operations throughout the theatre.
“These operations resulted in the neutralization of several terrorists, the arrest of their informants and logistics suppliers, and the recovery of arms and equipment, leading to the dismantling of key terrorist networks,” Onoja said.
In the North West, the defence spokesperson said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma killed several terrorists, arrested four others, and rescued two kidnap victims during operations conducted in Kaura Namoda, Maradun, Maru, and Tsafe Local Government Areas of Zamfara State, as well as Doguwa and Kafur Local Government Areas of Kano and Katsina states. He added that the troops also recovered weapons, vehicles, and livestock.
Onoja said troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE and Operation WHIRL STROKE sustained their momentum in the North Central region, neutralising several terrorists, arresting 17 others, and rescuing 26 kidnap victims.
“Troops, while on fighting patrols within the Adonkolo and Kakanda Forests in Lokoja Local Government Areas of Kogi State, captured Batijjo’s Camp and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, while over 13 kidnapped victims were rescued,” he said.
