From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Army has said its renewed offensive against terrorists, bandits and criminal elements in the country has continued to yield tremendous successes with the killing of scores of terrorists and arrest of 15 suspects.
The army also said the operations led to the arrest of 15 criminal suspects, recovery of significant weapons and military accoutrements across multiple theatres, while five family members of terrorists surrendered to troops.
The army said troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, in Borno State, killed one terrorist during an ambush in Sabsawa general area of Bama Local Government Area (LGA), recovering one AK-47 rifle loaded with 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The army said on July 30, 2025, troops of 192 Battalion operating along Pulka-Ngoshe Road in Gwoza LGA, eliminated another terrorist, capturing one AK-47 rifle and observing trails of blood along the enemy withdrawal route, indicating possible additional casualties.
It stated that five family members of ISWAP/JAS terrorists, comprising two adult females and three children, voluntarily surrendered to troops of 151 Task Force Battalion at Banki Junction in Bama LGA on July 29, 2025.
Preliminary investigation revealed that they fled from Bula Daloye village before surrendering.
The army said the individuals had been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further processing.
In another operation, troops of 50 Task Force Battalion and 134 Special Forces Battalion laying in ambush along the Marte-Dikwa route in Dikwa LGA successfully disrupted terrorists’ movement and later recovered two artillery shells during exploitation.
The army said elsewhere, troops of 9 Brigade arrested 12 impostors dressed in military uniforms in Ojota, Lagos State. The individuals, posing as officers and cadets of a fake corps, were caught with various insignia of the Nigerian Army and Navy.
Similarly, Operation SWEEP in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) apprehended an individual dressed in woodland camouflage around Waru, in Abuja.
In the South East and South South regions, troops of 145 Battalion arrested two suspected cultists in Umuahia South LGA, Abia State, seizing two locally-fabricated pistols, six cartridges, and other items at a checkpoint.
In Rivers State, troops of 343 Artillery Regiment intercepted two wooden boats conveying eight sacks of illegally-refined condensate (approximately 400 litres) in Onelga LGA. The suspects, however, fled on sighting troops.
