Defence Headquarters has said that troops killed 42 terrorists and arrested 40 others in the North-east while 32 rifles and 22 machine guns were recovered.
Director, Directorate of Defence Media Operations, DDMO, Major Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, disclosed this Friday, 20 May, at a press briefing, where he gave details of military operations conducted between April 28 and May 19, 2022.
TheFact Nigeria reports that in addition to the felled terrorists, 1,627 others and their families laid down their arms and surrendered to troops in the past two weeks.
According to Gen. Onyeuko, the military high command deactivated 17 illegal refineries and 778,500 litres of crude oil, 800 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were recovered from oil bunkerers by troops of Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta region.
He said some of the terrorists killed included a spiritual leader and another commander of the terror group, Boko Haram, who were killed during several battles in many villages and towns in Borno State.
During these operations, Onyeuko said, troops rescued 63 civilians, neutralised 42 terrorists, arrested 20 terrorists.
Also recovered were 2 LMGS, 21 AK47 rifles, 11 AK 56 rifles, 22 MGs, 419 rounds of 7.62mm and 54mm ammunitions, one gun turret, 31 AK 47 magazines, three motorcycles, six bicycles, one pumping machine, two bandolier belts containing 377 rounds of 7.62mm and 54mm ammunitions, one Isuzu vehicle.
“Between 1st and 14th of May, 2022, a total of 1,627 Boko Haram terrorists and their families surrendered to own troops at different locations.
“They comprise of 331 men, 441 women and 855 children. As at May 16, 2022, a total of 53,262 have so far surrendered,” Onyeuko said, adding that all surrendered Boko Haram fighters, recovered items, rescued civilians and captured terrorists were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
On operations of naval troops of Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta region, Onyeuko said 15 illegal refineries were deactivated even as hundreds of litres of crude oil and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were seized from oil bunkerers.
The operations were conducted in Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States.
“Troops discovered and destroyed 17 illegal refineries, five wooden boats, 89 storage tanks, 59 ovens, 12 dugout pits. Troops also recovered six pumping machines, five trucks, two outboard engines, two weapons, 778,500 litres of crude oil, 840,300 litres of AGO, 625 litres of DPK while 18 criminals were also arrested,” he said.
