Troops neutralise 192 terrorists, apprehend 341 others in 1 week – DHQ

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says troops have in the last one week neutralised 192 terrorists, apprehended 341 others and rescued 62 kidnapped hostages.

It also said a total of 122 ISWAP/JAS terrorists surrendered with their families.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this at a news conference on operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria across the country on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said the troops also recovered 211 assorted weapons and 6,288 assorted ammunitions within the week.

He said the recovered items comprised 128 AK47 rifles; 26 Dane guns, 1,301 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 3,260 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,325 live cartridges, 140 rounds of 9mm ammunition among other items.

In the North-East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 71 terrorists, arrested 143 suspects and rescued 58 kidnapped hostages during the week.

He added that the air component conducted air strikes on ISWAP/JAS terrorists hideouts and logistics hub, including their food processing unit in Kolleram village, along Lake Chad.

According to him, Battle Damage Assessment reveals that over 30 terrorists, including senior commanders, Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah and Mallam Ari, were neutralised as well as their logistics destroyed as result of the strike.

Buba said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralised 29 insurgents, arrested 53 violent extremists and rescued eight kidnapped hostages in the North-Central.

Also, in the North-West, the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 62 terrorists, arrested 49 others and rescued 36 kidnapped hostages.

He added that troops of Operation Whirl Punch arrested 14 criminals and recovered cache of arms and ammunition as well as military accoutrements.

According to him, other items recovered are 620 parcels of  substances suspected to be marijuana, 10 Yoruba Nation flags, eight mobile phones, four handheld radios, among other items.

In the South-South, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe had maintained momentum against activities of crude oil theft and recovered 792,660 litres of stolen crude oil and 117,070 litres of illegally refined AGO.

He said the troops discovered and destroyed 31 illegal refining sites with 99 dugout pits, 11 boats, 29 storage tanks, 192 cooking ovens and nine vehicles.

According to Buba, troops apprehended 27 suspected oil thieves and other violent extremists, recovering five weapons and 162 assorted ammunition.

In the South-East, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation UDOKA neutralised nine terrorists, arrested 11 violent extremists, rescued 17 kidnapped hostages and recovered weapons. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Salif Atojoko