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COAS storms Kebbi , orders massive manhunt for abducted schoolgirls

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COAS storms Kebbi , orders massive manhunt for abducted schoolgirls

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Monday stormed Kebbi State in a decisive show of force, directing troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA to leave no stone unturned in the ongoing search-and-rescue operation for students abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) Maga in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.

The COAS, who arrived the state with a strong delegation of Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters, held an operational meeting with frontline commanders before addressing troops deployed in the search effort.

In a firm and emotionally charged message, Shaibu ordered the soldiers to intensify both day and night operations until all the abducted schoolgirls were safely rescued.

“You must continue day and night fighting. We must find these children,” he told the troops gathered at the forward operating location.

“For the commanders here, you must leverage intelligence to conduct intelligence-based missions. It has become a pattern that bandits target soft targets. If they know you are in a location, they will not come there or face you in a fight and you can defeat them, can’t you?”

Shaibu reminded officers and soldiers that a ruthless determination to succeed was essential.

“You must have all the commitment to make sure you succeed. Once you receive intelligence of something of this nature, you must act professionally and decisively. This is not just about our image; it is about doing our job properly,” he cautioned.

The Army Chief also held a separate engagement with local vigilantes and hunters supporting the operation. He emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration, describing them as indispensable partners due to their deep knowledge of the terrain.

“If we have people like you, it is you who will work with us and provide local intelligence. You know these forests and you are the ones to tell us where the criminals are,” he said.

“Your hunters should storm the nooks and crannies of these forests. Soldiers will also join you. We are counting on you to work with us to bring lasting peace. What these evil people are trying to do is to scare children from going to school. Let every man know we will not allow that.”

He commended the vigilantes for their courage and contributions, assuring them of the military’s full support.

Earlier, Lt.-Gen. Shaibu paid a sympathy visit to the Traditional Ruler of Danko, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Allaje, and the Principal of the attacked school, Hajiya Rabi Musa Magaji.

During the visit, he assured the monarch and the school authorities of the military’s unwavering resolve to rescue the girls unharmed.

“We are fully committed. We will not relent. The safety of these children is a national priority, and we are deploying every resource to ensure they return home safely,” the COAS said.

In her remarks, Hajiya Rabi expressed gratitude for the Army Chief’s swift visit, saying it demonstrated the urgency with which the military and federal authorities were treating the incident.

“Your visit has given us hope. We believe that with this level of commitment, our girls will soon return,” she said.

The abduction at GGCSS Maga has triggered widespread concern across the country, prompting an intensified military response involving ground and air components under Operation FANSAN YANMA.

Security sources who spoke to Zagazola Makama said troops, supported by surveillance assets, have expanded search corridors across forested areas spanning Danko/Wasagu and adjoining boundaries.

The COAS and his entourage later proceeded to inspect additional deployment points before returning to the operational command centre for a review briefing.

COAS storms Kebbi , orders massive manhunt for abducted schoolgirls

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Troops kill scores of terrorists, destroy enclaves in Borno operations

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Troops kill scores of terrorists, destroy enclaves in Borno operations

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have sustained offensive operations against terrorist groups in Borno State, neutralising several insurgents and destroying key enclaves in coordinated ground and air assaults.

Security sources said the operations, conducted under Operation Desert Sanity V, targeted terrorist hideouts across the Bulabulin Forest and Timbuktu axes, with strong support from the Air Component Command.

According to the sources, troops of Sector 2, in conjunction with a stabilisation force brigade and elements of the Civilian Joint Task Force, cleared multiple enclaves in Mar, Subdu, Yaro Lawanti and Yaro Shuwari areas, which are contiguous to the Bulabulin Forest and the Kamadogu Yobe stretch.

The sources disclosed that troops made contact with terrorists around Malam Shiri Village, where they executed a coordinated flanking manoeuvre and engaged the insurgents in a fierce battle.

“A total of 11 terrorists were neutralised during the encounter, while others fled with injuries. Troops destroyed life-support structures within the enclaves and recovered significant quantities of arms and logistics,” the sources said.

Recovered items include nine AK-47 rifles, three PKT machine guns, five motorcycles, assorted ammunition, and materials used for the fabrication of improvised explosive devices.

In a related engagement along the Timbuktu axis on the Wajiroko–Sabon Gari corridor, troops, supported by air strikes, engaged another group of terrorists and maintained tactical superiority throughout the encounter.

Items recovered from the scene include AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade tubes, bandoliers, communication equipment, and a large cache of ammunition.

Further operational reports indicated that troops advancing through the Bulabulin axis also engaged terrorists around Bultuwa in Yunusari Local Government Area, where six insurgents were killed and additional weapons, including AK-47 rifles, a PKT machine gun, motorcycles, ammunition, and IED-making materials, were recovered. No casualties were recorded among troops, although some vehicles sustained tyre damage during the operation.

Meanwhile, troops deployed around the Azir Bridge area came under attack late at night by terrorists using armed drones. Reinforcements moving to the location encountered an improvised explosive device, which struck a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle without causing further losses.

Air assets were subsequently deployed, with multiple precision strikes conducted on terrorist positions, forcing the attackers to retreat.

The sources confirmed that two terrorist bodies and a rifle were recovered after the engagement, while one soldier was killed in action.They added that the Air Component Command played a decisive role in the operations by providing continuous intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as precision strikes on identified targets, which significantly degraded the terrorists’ capabilities.

Troops are currently conducting follow-up exploitation operations along the Forfor, Multe and Wajiroko axes to track fleeing insurgents and prevent regrouping.

The sources said the sustained operations demonstrate increasing operational effectiveness and continued dominance by security forces across the theatre.

Troops kill scores of terrorists, destroy enclaves in Borno operations

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Troops raid IPOB enclave in Enugu, destroy camp, recover explosives

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Troops raid IPOB enclave in Enugu, destroy camp, recover explosives

By: Zagazola Makama

Joint troops under Operation UDO KA have conducted an offensive operation on a suspected IPOB enclave in Ajali Forest, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 4:30 a.m. on April 27 by troops of 82 Division Garrison in conjunction with 103 Battalion (Reinforced) and 197 Special Forces Battalion, acting on credible intelligence.

The sources disclosed that the troops made contact with the armed elements during the operation and engaged them in a firefight, forcing the suspects to flee into the forest.

According to the sources, troops subsequently exploited the area and destroyed all active structures within the camp, including a shrine.

Items recovered from the location include three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three cartridges, seven victim-operated improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and one locally made hand grenade.

The sources added that no further contact was made during the exploitation phase, while troops have maintained presence in the area to prevent reoccupation by the fleeing suspects.

Troops raid IPOB enclave in Enugu, destroy camp, recover explosives

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Troops foil kidnap attempt, rescue victim in Kaduna

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Troops foil kidnap attempt, rescue victim in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have foiled a kidnap attempt and rescued a civilian in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Security sources told Zagazola that the incident occurred in the early hours of April 26 at about 3:00 a.m., when troops on night patrol at Sanga responded to reports of sporadic gunshots along Ungwan Mohammadu village road.

The sources said the troops swiftly moved to the scene and made contact with suspected kidnappers, engaging them in a firefight that forced the criminals to flee.

According to the sources, one civilian who sustained gunshot wounds during the incident was rescued by the troops.

The victim was immediately evacuated to Confidence Hospital in Fadan Karshi for medical attention and is currently receiving treatment.

The sources added that troops have intensified patrols and are conducting follow-up operations to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks in the area.

Troops foil kidnap attempt, rescue victim in Kaduna

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