Nigeria: Military kills 140 kidnappers, arrests 135 suspects

October 26, 2024 2

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At least 140 suspected terrorists and armed kidnappers have been killed in Nigeria.

The operation was carried out by the Nigeria military against Boko Haram, the Daesh-linked Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and various criminal gangs in the West African country.

According to Nigerian Defence Headquarters spokesperson Edward Buba, the operations targeted areas across multiple regions in Nigeria. Buba provided an update at the military’s weekly briefing on Thursday.

135 more suspects were taken into custody whist 76 people who had been kidnapped for ransom were safely rescued.

Buba said troops also recovered 241 assorted weapons and 3,254 ammunition, comprising 141 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, two FN rifles, 17 fabricated rifles, 26 dane guns and 42 AK47 magazines.

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Others, according to him, are 2,016 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 970 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 33 rounds 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 76 rounds of 9mm ammo, 113 live cartridges only amongst other items.

Buba said that the on-going counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations of the armed forces have dealt significant blows to terrorist capabilities.

“Troops have denied these terrorists from accomplishing their strategic objectives. As the war rages, troops continue to find innovative solutions to the challenges faced in the conduct of operations and retain operational flexibility to deepen operational successes across theatres of operation,’’ he said.

Nigeria is battling attacks from armed groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP, along with kidnappings carried out by various criminal gangs.

Some states have introduced the death penalty for kidnapping but abductions remain common.

Armed groups frequently target villages, schools, and travellers in the northern regions, often demanding ransoms.