The Defence Headquarters has announced that troops are intensifying patrols within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its surroundings to address the rising incidents of kidnapping.

It also said troop are synergizing with other security services and stakeholders to investigate and gather more intelligence on kidnapping gangs around the capital city.

The Director Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this in a statement on Friday, January 19.

Buba said troops have prioritized the areas of kidnappings, increased both ground and air surveillance over the areas.

He said the military has deployed technologies to more easily detect these kidnapping gangs in their hideouts and enclaves.

Some of the areas so far cleared by troops in recent operations, according to military high command, include Kawu, Gaba, Deidei, Kubwa Hills, and Ushafa in the FCT, Garam, Jibi, and back of Zuma Rock in Niger State, as well as Gidan Dogo and Kuyeri/Kuyeri Hills in Kaduna State.

Buba said troops have also intensified night patrols in the Mpape, Kubwa, Lugbe, Pyakasa, Keti, Gbaupe, Gbaukuchi, and Airport Rd among others.

He said: “The armed forces is not unaware of the terrible impact of kidnappings on the families of those affected. Indeed, our hearts and thoughts go to their families and loved ones. We also recognizes the fear that these kidnappings creates among the citizenry, following recent events in the FCT.

“While troops probably don’t have all the answers as at now. Citizens should be rest assured that the armed forces is working relentlessly to address the hurtful situation. Additionally, troop are synergizing with other security services and stakeholders to investigate and gather more intelligence on these kidnapping gangs, particularly around the FCT.

“Troops have prioritized the areas of these kidnappings, increased both ground and air surveillance over the areas. Technologies have also been deployed to more easily detect these kidnapping gangs in their hideouts and enclaves.

“Furthermore, troops increased the tempo operations in order to find, degrade and destroy the terrorist and cohorts wherever they were hiding.”

On troops operations in the North East, the military high command said troops of Operation HADIN KAI eliminated three top ISWAP terrorists commanders on January 10, in Borno State.

The three commanders identified, according to Buba are Abou Maimuna, Abou Zahra and Commander Saleh. He said the commanders with their lieutenants were killed by air strikes.

He said: “Overall, the operations during the week resulted in 43 neutralized terrorists with 76 of them arrested. Troops also arrested 29 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 27 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 7 dugout pits, 13 boats, 23 storage tanks, 2 barges, 4 vehicles. Other items recovered incl 15 cooking ovens, 2 pump machines and 16 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 139,045 litres of stolen crude oil, 25,115 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,200 litres of DPK.”

The military high command said troops recovered 81 assorted weapons and 2,150 assorted ammunition.

Buba said the armed forces would always be mindful of the threat by kidnapping gangs and terrorist across the country.

“Accordingly, we will continually review our internal processes in order to deal with these threats both now and in the long term. The military is determined to give the situation the seriousness it deserves so as to create a safer environment for citizens,” he said.