The Nigerian Army has intensified its campaign against terrorism with the arrest of a suspected operative allegedly linked to wanted terrorist leader Dogo Gide, alongside 60 other suspects in separate operations across several states.
The arrests were made between August 12 and 13 as troops carried out intelligence-driven operations targeting terrorist networks, collaborators and criminal hideouts. Weapons, military uniforms and other materials were also recovered.
In Kaduna State, soldiers from the 4 Demonstration Battalion apprehended a suspected ISWAP operative at Kadage Check Point while he was allegedly transporting seven pairs of sewn foreign camouflage uniforms to a terrorist camp.
According to the military, preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspect was a close associate of Dogo Gide and had been providing logistics support to the terrorist leader.
Troops recovered 23 yards of foreign camouflage material, two mobile phones, three ATM cards and an identity card from him.
In Adamawa, troops of the 226 Battalion, working with local hunters, raided a motor park in Gombi after receiving intelligence about suspected terrorist collaborators allegedly operating under the cover of menial workers and hawkers.
Sixty suspects were arrested during the operation and are being investigated.
The Army also stepped up its offensive in the North-West with the launch of Operation Clean Sweep IV by the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma.
The new operation combines ground and aerial attacks against terrorists and armed criminal groups across the region.
The Media Information Officer of the operation, 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.”
Troops operating in Katsina State on August 12 conducted a clearance operation 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.
The offensive also extended to Zamfara, where the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma carried out precision strikes against terrorists reportedly gathered on motorcycles in Anka Local Government Area.
The military said the strikes neutralised scores of terrorists, while those who survived fled into nearby bushes.
Separately, troops of 1 Brigade recovered an RPG bomb during a patrol around Tunga-Jambako in Maradun Local Government Area following an earlier terrorist ambush.
In Benue State, soldiers under Operation Whirl Stroke arrested five suspected terrorists during operations in Chito, Jootar and Ikyior, all in Ukum Local Government Area.
The troops subsequently destroyed suspected terrorist enclaves and recovered two motorcycles and two locally fabricated firearms.
In Borno State, troops intercepted five women and seven children believed to be family members of terrorists in Mafa Local Government Area.
Six other male children were intercepted at Ajiri after reportedly fleeing Murofari Village following clashes between rival terrorist factions.
Danja said dismantling the Lakurawa terrorist network remained a major priority of Operation Clean Sweep IV.
“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.”
