Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested six suspected kidnappers in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State, while a Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist has surrendered to the military in Borno State.
The Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Goni said the kidnappers were apprehended following intelligence on the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate operating around Soktu Hill.
He explained that troops of Sector 4, working with local hunters, raided the group’s hideout and arrested three suspects, recovering a Dane gun in the process.
According to him, subsequent investigations and covert operations resulted in the arrest of three more suspects, bringing the total number of arrested members of the syndicate to six.
Goni said preliminary findings indicated that the suspects had been active in the Soktu, Dumne and Maigero areas of Song LGA.
He added that the suspects had allegedly confessed to participating in several kidnappings for ransom and other violent crimes in the area.
“They remain in military custody for further investigation and appropriate legal action,” Goni stated.
Meanwhile, the military said a Boko Haram/ISWAP member surrendered to troops at Borgozo in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, on September 13.
Goni said the terrorist, who was operating under Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai, reportedly fled from a terrorist enclave with the intention of abandoning the group’s activities.
Items recovered from him included an AK-47 rifle, 14 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, four magazines, an improvised explosive device, a magazine pouch and a bicycle.
“The surrendered terrorist is currently in military custody undergoing further investigation and profiling in accordance with extant procedures,” the Army spokesman said.
Goni said the latest operations demonstrated the military’s continued efforts to disrupt terrorist and criminal activities across the North-East.
He assured that the Theatre Command would sustain offensive operations aimed at restricting the movement of terrorists and other criminal groups while creating a safer environment for residents and economic activities.
