Nigeria’s security forces have recorded fresh successes in the fight against terrorism and violent crime, with a joint Nigeria-United States intelligence-led operation eliminating 21 ISWAP fighters in Borno State, while troops of the Nigerian Army rescued 23 kidnapped passengers in Kogi State.
Security sources said the anti-terror operation, coordinated by the Nigerian Air Force and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), targeted ISWAP fighters gathered in Arege, a strategic community in northern Borno State.
The strike reportedly killed 21 terrorists, including three mid-level commanders believed to have coordinated attacks in Monguno, Damasak and surrounding communities.
A member of the Minister of Defence Media Team, retired Colonel Timothy Antigha, said the operation was based on actionable intelligence generated through joint surveillance efforts.
According to him, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets detected unusual terrorist activity in Arege, a key logistics corridor linking Nigeria, Niger and Chad.
“The intelligence gathered was fused with US AFRICOM satellite imagery and signals intelligence. Once a cluster of 21 armed terrorists was confirmed in a concealed staging area, a joint strike was authorized,” Antigha said.
He added that all identified terrorists were neutralised without civilian casualties, describing the operation as evidence of growing operational cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in counterterrorism efforts.
Antigha noted that Arege serves as a major transit route for fuel, food, weapons and ammunition used by terrorist groups operating across the Lake Chad region.
Meanwhile, troops of the Nigerian Army rescued 23 passengers abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Ayegunle-Bunu Road in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
According to the Army Headquarters, the operation followed a distress call received at about 3:30 a.m. on Monday reporting that armed men had barricaded the highway and abducted travellers.
Troops deployed in the area immediately launched a pursuit operation after the attackers fled before security forces arrived.
During the operation, soldiers recovered two Toyota commercial buses and a HOWO truck abandoned along the road.
The Army disclosed that two persons were killed during the attack, while five others sustained injuries and were evacuated to St. Joseph Hospital, Kabba, for treatment.
It said sustained pressure mounted on the kidnappers forced them to abandon 23 captives, who were subsequently rescued unharmed.
“Troops have continued to dominate the general area and are conducting intensive search-and-rescue operations aimed at locating and safely recovering any remaining victims still in captivity,” the Army stated.
The rescue comes amid intensified military operations across Kogi State under Operation Tiger Paw II, as security agencies continue efforts to combat kidnapping, terrorism and other criminal activities across the country.
Military authorities reiterated their commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorist and criminal groups, while urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies.