Troops of the Nigerian Army have made a significant breakthrough, arresting four suspected kidnappers involved in the abduction of retired Major General Richard Duru. In a striking display of integrity, these brave soldiers rejected a N5 million bribe from the suspects while simultaneously recovering a substantial cache of arms and ammunition in Imo State.
In a parallel operation, eight terrorists met their fate in Borno and Yobe states, while eleven others chose to surrender to the determined personnel of the Nigerian military.
A statement released on Wednesday via the Nigerian Army’s official X handle revealed that troops in Imo State successfully tracked down and apprehended the four suspects linked to the retired General’s kidnapping.
When confronted, the suspects audaciously attempted to bribe the soldiers with Five Million Naira (N5,000,000), which was swiftly rejected. Instead, the troops seized the bribe money totaling N5,048,105, along with three vehicles, six laptops, and a cash-counting machine, further dismantling the criminals’ operations.
Meanwhile, on August 27, 2024, armed with credible intelligence, the troops launched a surprise ambush against Boko Haram terrorists at Logomani village in Ngala local government area of Borno State. The ensuing gunfight resulted in the takedown of five terrorists, alongside the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and two bicycles.
In Gwoza local government area, a remarkable development unfolded as eleven Boko Haram fighters, accompanied by their families, voluntarily surrendered to Nigerian troops. “They claimed they could no longer endure the overwhelming firepower of the Nigerian Army,” the statement revealed.
Additionally, in Yobe State, troops meticulously set an ambush targeting Boko Haram’s logistics supply route at Wulle village, resulting in two terrorists being slain and the recovery of an FN rifle, a magazine, and a bicycle.
In an intriguing twist, troops also apprehended a notorious member of the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN), identified as Sunday Ofordimze Asika, also known as Aboy Ekwensu, in Anambra State. This suspect, long on the radar of security agencies, is believed to be part of a criminal syndicate that has been terrorizing the citizens of Ugu Npologu and Ezinifite communities in Aguta local government area. Recovered items from the operation included six cartridges, five machetes, a laptop, a vehicle, and various charms.
On another front, troops conducting waterway patrols in Cross River State intercepted an automated wooden boat linked to armed criminals at Ikang village in Bakassi local government area. The suspects, realizing they were cornered, fled but abandoned their weapons, including a pump-action rifle, three cartridges, a 40 HP boat engine, and N50,500 in cash.
