Defence Headquarters: 10,937 Terrorists Neutralized, 12,538 Arrested in 12 Months

Over the past year, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has eliminated 10,937 terrorists and apprehended 12,538 individuals in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts. Read more about the achievements.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) reports that over the past year, troops involved in various operations across the country have eliminated 10,937 terrorists, apprehended 12,538 individuals, and rescued 7,063 hostages.

Major-General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, revealed this information during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday regarding the military’s operations for 2024.

Buba reported that over the course of the year, 16,171 terrorist combatants and their families surrendered as troops significantly weakened the terrorists’ fighting capabilities.

He stated that the troops recovered 8,815 weapons and 228,004 rounds of ammunition while preventing the oil thieves from obtaining an estimated sum exceeding N68.4 billion.

According to the director, the recovered items include 4,332 AK47 rifles, 1,244 locally fabricated guns, and 838 Dane guns. Additionally, they seized 259 pump action guns; along with a significant amount of ammunition: 128,496 rounds of special ammo in the size of 7.62mm and another set consisting of45 ,445 NATO standard rounds also sized at seven point six two millimeters .

Buba noted that in the North-West, Operation Hadarin Daji troops neutralized 2,906 terrorists over the past year. They also arrested 1,826 suspects and rescued 2,616 kidnapping victims. Additionally, the troops recovered a cache of weapons including 1,450 AK47 rifles; 477 fabricated guns; and various other arms totaling to 576 items. The operation further yielded an assortment of ammunition: specifically pointing out they obtained around special rounds numbered at about thirty-one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine (31K+), NATO classified seven-point sixty-two-millimeter cartridges amounting near fifteen-thousand approximately fourteen nine-hundreds plus {14k9&additions} alongside several diverse bullets whose total count stands relatively identical circling six-and half thousands units once calculated cumulatively or essentially summarily summed up collectively enumerate likewise fourfold approximating close possibly!

The director reported that in the South-South region, troops from Operation Delta Safe successfully neutralized 78 terrorists and arrested 2,357 individuals implicated in crude oil theft. Additionally, they rescued 93 kidnapped hostages and thwarted efforts to steal substantial quantities of resources: blocking the theft of 56.2 million liters of crude oil, 9.7 million liters of AGO (diesel), as well as intercepting attempts to secure away with 95,595 liters of DPK (kerosene) and 156,527 liters of PMS (petrol).

He mentioned that the troops recovered 538 various weapons and 13,198 rounds of different types of ammunition. Additionally, they destroyed 2,019 wooden boats and dismantled 2,612 illegal refining sites.

While in the South-East, Operation UDO KA troops maintained their efforts to locate, eliminate, and dismantle IPOB/ESN terrorists at their hideouts.

Buba elaborated that the troops intercepted and captured numerous IPOB/ESN terrorists, collaborators, arms traffickers, and informants. They also neutralized 734 terrorists, arrested 974 suspects, and rescued 372 kidnapped hostages.

He emphasized that the troops aim to enhance their collaboration with neighboring countries and regional organizations to combat the threat of terrorism. He assured that those on the battlefield are highly motivated, fully committed, dedicated, and confident in the righteousness of their mission.

According to Buba, “Overall, the war involves not just the armed forces but all citizens. Therefore, the military calls for increased support from citizens to achieve victory.”