Troops eliminate 36 terrorists and apprehend 163 criminals – DHQ

According to the Defence Headquarters, the Armed Forces of Nigeria personnel have killed 36 terrorists and apprehended 163 suspected criminals and gunmen across theatres of action in the recent two weeks.

Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director, Defence Media Operations, stated this during a bi-weekly news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

According to Buba, the military apprehended 137 gunmen, three gunrunners, two kidnappers, six collaborators, 15 offenders of oil theft, two kidnappers, and six collaborators.

According to a defence official, the troops also retrieved N3.1 million, released 140 kidnapped hostages, and recovered 37 guns and 370 rounds of ammunition.

He recovered 16 AK47 rifles, six pump action guns, six Dane guns, three manufactured rifles, two locally built pistols, 199 rounds of 7.62mm special, six rounds of 7.62mm NATO, nine AK47 magazines, and two G3 magazines.

“There were also eight vehicles, 45 motorcycles, 32 mobile phones, 925 machetes, and 151 machete sharpeners recovered.”

According to Buba, the forces uncovered and destroyed 61 dugout pits, 32 wooden boats, 87 storage tanks, one speedboat, 32 cooking ovens, three outboard engines, one generator, two pumping machines, and 36 illicit refining facilities.

He also mentioned 310,700 gallons of stolen crude oil, 14,675 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 49,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene and five litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

Buba stated that throughout the period, forces from Operation Hadin Kai neutralised nine terrorists, detained 19 insurgents, six terrorist collaborators and couriers, and rescued 12 hostages.

He stated that 313 terrorists, including 12 male adults, 138 female adults, and 162 youngsters, surrendered to soldiers at various sites throughout the theatres of operations.

According to him, the Air component struck and degraded militants assembled at a hideaway in Wulade.

Buba stated that in North Central, troops from Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stoke conducted various operations in Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, and Taraba, eradicating and apprehending criminals.

He stated that the forces of Operation Safe Haven discovered two AK 47 rifles, three Dane guns, 15 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, and a pair of military uniforms belonging to a dismissed soldier named as Bashir Abass.

According to him, a preliminary inquiry found that one of the seized AK 47 guns belonged to the dismissed soldier who is on the run with two terrorists.

“During operations, troops recovered three AK47 rifles, three Dane guns, one locally fabricated pistol, one locally made gun, 23 rounds of 7.62mm special, one cartridge, three mobile phones, a pair of camouflage, jackknife.”

“During the course of the operation, troops from Operation Whirl Stroke recovered one pistol, 40 rounds of 7.62mm special, four rounds of 7.62mm NATO, two G3 magazines, one vehicle, one motorbike, one mobile phone and a pair of black boots.”

“In addition, troops neutralised one terrorist, arrested 13 suspects, and rescued nine kidnapped hostages,” he said.

Buba stated that forces from Operation Hadarin Daji rescued kidnapped captives and apprehended terrorists in Jibia, Matazu, and Funtua Local Government Areas in Katsina State.

He added that military also repelled farmer attacks, performed several air interdictions, and seized arms and ammunition in Zamfara’s Maru and Zurmi Local Government Areas.

He also stated that troops freed 20 kidnapped hostages and recovered one AK47 gun, four AK47 rifle magazines, two rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one motorcycle, and 80 animals.

According to him, troops from Operation Whirl Punch apprehended a bandit collaborator and his logistical supply, released kidnapped hostages, and recovered weapons and ammunition in Kaduna State’s Chikun and Kajuru Local Government Areas.

“The air component conducted an acquired target on a terrorist camp at Hanawanka, a Boko Haram Terrorist camp in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, where terrorists were neutralised with bombs and rockets.”

“This is one of several operations carried out by the air component.”

“During the operation, troops neutralised 11 terrorists and recovered two fabricated rifles, 16 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three motorcycles, and 80 livestock.”

“Troops also arrested 16 terrorists, logistic suppliers, or collaborators and rescued two kidnapped hostages,” he added.