According to the Defence Headquarters, the Armed Forces’ soldiers have killed dozens of alleged terrorists over the past two weeks.
At the twice-weekly news conference on military operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed the information on Thursday in Abuja.
The director added that significant quantities of weapons and ammunition that had been hidden in several operational theaters had been found.
Danmadami claimed that considerable results were recorded between May 4 and May 18 in both kinetic and non-kinetic activities carried out in the various theaters of operations.
He claimed that in the North East, Operation Hadin Kai’s troops had engaged in a protracted onslaught against terrorists and other criminal groups through vigorous ground and aerial operations, which had produced outstanding results.
He said that during that time, the military had captured 25 logistical providers, one spy, and another suspected terrorist in addition to neutralizing 26 suspected Boko Haram terrorists and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants.
Danmadami claimed that one of the kidnapped Chibok School girls was also freed by the army.
He continued by saying that 511 suspected terrorists and family members—including 251 kids, 99 adult women, and 161 adult men—surrendered at various points.
He said that Saratu Dauda, the Chibok School student who was rescued, was listed as serial number 10 on the list of missing girls.
He added that the captured individuals claimed to have escaped the terrorists’ camp as a result of the local troops’ intense onslaught.
“Also, a JAS fighter turned himself in to the authorities in Damboa in Borno’s Damboa Local Government Area, claiming that the military onslaught in the Sambisa forest area was the reason for his decision to do so.
As a result, during the weeks under review, soldiers found 17 AK-47 rifles, 1 AK-49 rifle, 8 SMGs, 15 grenade rifles, 2 pump action guns, 1 LMG, 1 Ma rifle, and 4 AA guns.
In addition, the troops found two AA barrels, 12 Dane rifles, 38 AK47 magazines, two double barrel rifles, 3,896 rounds of.50 inch, 2,189 rounds of 12.7mm, 1,475 rounds of 9mm, and 86 rounds of 12.7mm x 108API.
“183 Shilka rounds, 60 40mm BGL rounds, 2 7.62mm x 39 B/SP rounds, 34 Sig pistol cartons, 125 RPG bombs, 52 x 36 hand grenades, 5 SMK bombs, and 13 RPG tubes have also been found.
“Eight 76mm bombs, 130 SMK (tear gas) grenades, 13 x PG 42 grenades, 247 38mm SMK bomb rounds, 15 RPG tail pin rounds, 275 7.62mm special rounds, 163 7.62mm NATO rounds, 440 7.62 x 54mm ammunition rounds, and 364 7.62 x 50mm NATO rounds were also discovered.
Two mortar bombs, two 60mm mortar tubes, one shoulder grenade launcher, eight propeller chargers (155 gun), one G3 skeletal weapon, 234 rounds of AK49 ammunition, among other improvised explosive devices, were also found, according to him.
The director of defense media operations added that numerous suspected terrorists were also killed during an air strike by the air component, which also destroyed a large number of gun trucks.
Danmadami reported that during the period, the Operation Safe Haven forces in the North Central region neutralized two suspected terrorists and detained 25 suspected criminals.
According to him, the Operation Hadarin Daji forces in the North West killed 12 suspected terrorists, detained 26 suspected criminals, and freed 24 kidnapped people.
He continued by saying that numerous military costumes and accoutrements, as well as weapons of various calibres, were found by the troops.
He said that Zamfara’s suspected terrorist camps were attacked by the air component, and that the airstrike’s results showed that several terrorist suspects were killed.
“Furthermore, on May 10, the Operation Whirl Punch air component carried out an air interdiction operation near Sabon Birnin in Kaduna State’s Igabi Local Government Area.
“The operation was conducted in response to reports of suspected terrorists being seen fleeing north of Sabon Birnin on seven motorcycles.
As a result, the suspects were neutralized after the targets were engaged.
An air attack was carried out at Warari and Sambo in the Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State as a result of intelligence reports of terrorist activity at the areas.
As a result, the targets were hit with bombs and rockets, and the alleged terrorists were defeated, he stated.
The terrorists who are escaping from the North East and North West will not have a place to hide, he told Nigerians. (NAN)
