The Nigeria Army says militants in the Southeast have bowed to the pressure of troops of 82 Division/Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, OPUK, and surrendered arms alongside other weapons.

The Army made this disclosure in a statement posted on its verified X handle on Sunday.

It said that separate intelligence-led operations resulted in the recovery of additional weapons and an Improvised Explosive Device, IED.

According to the Army, the latest successes further underscore the effectiveness of its integrated kinetic and non-kinetic approach in dismantling criminal networks and restoring lasting peace and security across the region.

It added that the breakthrough followed sustained operational pressure mounted by troops of 34 Artillery Brigade and the recent arrest of suspects linked to the killing of a soldier.

The Army further stated that been unable to withstand the relentless military offensive, members of a militant group operating within Egbema and its environs voluntarily began surrendering their weapons.

It noted that one of the suspects who disclosed the location where the group’s weapons had been concealed and hidden, led security team to exhume the site.

“Items recovered include one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 54 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition and four locally fabricated firearms,” the Army said.

In a related development, troops of Sector 5 OPUK, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a follow-up operation that led to the successful recovery of two General Purpose Machine Guns, GPMGs, 45 rounds of 7.62 mm x 51 ammunition and one Improvised Explosive Device, IED, further denying criminal elements the capability to threaten public safety and security in the region.

The Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force, at the weekend, intercepted four commercial buses conveying suspected illegal miners from Zamfara State to Gangtu village in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The operation, led by Superintendent of Police Jamu Emmanuel Lyon, followed credible intelligence indicating that a group of suspected illegal miners was travelling into Taraba State to engage in unauthorised mining activities.

“Acting on the intelligence, operatives of the task force intercepted the convoy while it was en route to the alleged illegal mining site. The suspects were apprehended without resistance,” the task force said.

According to preliminary investigations, the suspects are believed to have travelled from Zamfara State with the intention of carrying out illegal mining operations in Taraba, contrary to Nigeria’s mining laws and regulations.

Confirming the development, Jamu Emmanuel Lyon said the suspects are currently in custody and will be handed over to the Taraba State Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to tackling illegal mining across the state, noting that efforts to dismantle illegal mining networks would continue.

He also appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending individuals involved in illegal mining activities.

Troops of the Nigerian Army have in the last 24 hours, rescued 34 kidnap victims, apprehended suspected ISWAP informants and recovered arms, ammunition in coordinated operations nationwide.

This is contained in an operational report made available on Sunday.

The report said that troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued 31 kidnap victims from terrorists along the Buratai-Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno.

It said the rescue followed a swift response after troops of 135 Special Forces Battalion detected ISWAP/JAS terrorists abducting civilians from four vehicles through CCTV surveillance.

According to the report, troops immediately deployed a quick reaction force, engaged the terrorists and forced them to abandon the victims and flee with one motorcycle left behind.

“In another operation, troops of 145 Battalion conducted a fighting patrol to the Turoh general area of Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area.

“The terrorists reportedly fled on sighting the troops, leaving behind two motorcycles and illicit drugs recovered during exploitation of the area.

“Also, troops of 232 Battalion Tactical apprehended a suspected ISWAP informant at Garaha Market in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa,” it said.

In the North-West, the report revealed that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA engaged terrorists moving with rustled cattle in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara.

It added that the troops’ superior fire power forced the terrorists to withdraw in disarray during the encounter.

The report also revealed that troops of Operation MESA rescued a kidnapped woman and her two children along the old Obajana-Jakura-Tajimi road in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi.

According to the report, preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted on July 29 from a Ruga settlement in the Gada-Biyu area of the same local government.

“In Plateau State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace responded to reports of an attack on a herder in Bassa Local Government Area.

“The assailants had fled before the troops arrived, while the deceased and recovered cattle were handed over to the victim’s family,” it added.

In the South-East, the report said the troops of Operation UDO KA recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of three suspected terrorists linked to the ambush of troops in Imo on May 4.

It added that the operation, conducted in Delta and Imo States, followed intelligence obtained from earlier arrested suspects.

According to the report, troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, one FN rifle, a pistol, 11 AK-47 magazines, two FN magazines, 239 rounds of assorted ammunition, a fragmentation jacket and other military items from terrorist camps.

“The recovered weapons included rifles earlier carted away during the May ambush on troops, while further exploitation led to the discovery of another terrorist camp containing additional arms and ammunition,” it said.