Troops of the Nigerian Army in various theatres of operation have eliminated 148 terrorists and rescued 28 kidnap victims.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba made this known on Thursday and the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, while briefing journalists on ongoing military operations across the country.
Buba, who elaborated on the activities of troops of the various theatres of operation, disclosed that 472 Boko Haram/ ISWAP/JAS fighters along with their families surrendered to troops of OPERATION HADIN KAI. The figure comprises 26 adult males, 146 adult females, and 300 children.
Overall, troops of Operation HADIN KAI, in raid operations, fighting patrols, and night ambush, neutralized 70 terrorists and
arrested 23 of them. They recovered one G3 rifle, 50 AK47 rifles, 8 fabricated guns, one dane gun, 4 locally made double barrels, 1,012 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 243 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 20 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo, one magazine, 13 motorcycles, 9 mobile phones, 10 bicycles and the sum of N628,000.00 amongst others.
Of particular reference is the case of the abduction of 112 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by terrorists in Gamboru Ngala LGA of Borno State. The IDPs are said to have left camp to an undisclosed location to fetch firewood beyond the permissible distance, without notifying the camp authorities. Efforts are ongoing to get back the hostages.
The air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted air interdiction following confirmatory ISR by combined Nigerian Army UAV and the air component on convergence of suspected ISWAP/JAS terrorists within the Southern Tumbuns. The location was subsequently acquired and attacked with rockets, neutralizing several terrorists and destroying their logistics.
Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 2 insurgents and
arrested 16 violent extremists. They recovered one fabricated rifle, one dane gun, 185 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 23 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 6 empty cases
of 7.62mm ammo amongst other items.
Furthermore, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE, whose operations are carried out in the North-Central, conducted fighting and raid operations in Ukum, Kwande, and Ado LGAs of Benue State. They neutralized 7 violent extremists/terrorists and arrested 2 violent extremists. They also recovered 2 locally fabricated guns, 5 dane guns, 74 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 2 motorcycles amongst others.
Of note is the arrest of a suspected violent extremist known to head a militia group known as Ezza militias, and another suspect in Ado LGA of Benue State. The suspect confessed to being responsible for the ambush on personnel on 21 October 2023. Several personnel were missing in action as a result of the ambush. Investigation is currently ongoing.
Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI on their part, in response to terrorists activities in Kaura Namoda and Illela LGAs of Zamfara and Sokoto States, as well as Batsari and Kurfi LGAs of Katsina State, neutralized 26 terrorists and rescued 15 kidnapped hostages. They recovered 22 AK47 rifles, 2 locally fabricated guns, 5 dane guns, rifle butt and stock, 390 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 8 magazines, 5 motorcycles, and 1 mobile phone amongst other items.
In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered 1,227,470 litres of stolen crude oil, 313,780 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 13,000 litres of PMS.
Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 150 dugout pits, 30 boats, and 73 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 105 cooking ovens, 209 drums, 3 pumping machines, 2 outboard engines, 4 motorcycles, one tricycle, 15 vehicles, and 65 illegal refining sites.
They also rescued 4 kidnapped hostages and apprehended 85 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists/insurgents.
In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA neutralized 26 terrorists and recovered 3 G3 rifles, 12 AK47 rifles, 1 fabricated gun, 2 pump action guns, automatic pump action guns, RPG bombs, 269 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 216 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 172 live cartridges, 8 IEDs (OGBUNIGWE), 4 AK47 magazines, 3 G3 magazines 3 motorcycles and 2 mobile phones amongst other items. This was made possible through raid and offensive operations in which troops engaged the terrorists in firefights.
All recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
