The Military High Command on Thursday disclosed that 1,199 terrorists and their families, comprising 114 adult males, 312 adult females and 773 children have surrendered to troops at different locations in the North East within two weeks.
Acting Directorate of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Brig-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, who disclosed this added that the troops eliminated 112 terrorists and bandits and arrested 35 other criminal elements, their informants and logistics suppliers in the North-East and North-West parts of the country.
He added that the troops also recovered 622 bags of fertilizers being used for the production of IEDs and recovered 52 rustled livestock during the period under review.
According to him, “the troops also rescued 19 kidnapped civilian victims in the course of the operations and recovered a total of 101 assorted weapons, including machine guns, 69 AK-47 rifles, gun trucks, teargas launchers, locally-made pistols, 25 extra rifle magazines and 829 rounds of ammunition.
“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have sustained the aggressive posture with zest in the North East. The Theatre Command’s series of land and air operations in different locations have not only degraded the enemy’s operational capabilities of insurgents but have also contributed to more terrorists surrendering with their families. In the course of the operations within the period, a total of 38 terrorist elements were neutralized, including the ISWAP’s new leader, Bako.”
General Onyeuko who said the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI successfully conducted a series of air interdiction missions against the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in different locations, pointed out that significantly, on 20 October 2021, the Air Component scored another devastating hit on BHT/ISWAP terrorist elements at Malam Fatori on the fringes of the Lake Chad.
According to him, “this feat was achieved on the heels of credible intelligence report and after series of aerial surveillance, which confirmed the convergence of terrorist elements in 20 boats at the location. Consequently, airstrikes were executed on the target with various NAF platforms, which led to the destruction of the boats and neutralization of scores of the terrorists, while a few of them flee in disarray with varying degrees of wounds
“Within the period, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI dominated the operations theatre with aggressive fighting patrols and other kinetic operations with the support of intensive air operations executed. In the course of these operations, significant achievements were recorded in some locations. These include Gwandu LGA in Kebbi State where some cattle rustlers were arrested.
“In Operation SAFE HAVEN, troops continually maintained vigilance and dominated the operations theatre with constant land and air patrols to deny criminal elements freedom of action. This has brought about relative calm in the area of responsibility. Some kinetic operations within the period led to the arrest of 8 criminal elements.
“Operation SAFE HAVEN also carried out non-kinetic operations by conducting security and peace meetings with community leaders and other critical stakeholders within its area of responsibility. Within the period, one of such meetings was held at Kaduna State Government House in Kaduna.
“Operation WHIRL PUNCH/THUNDER STRIKE also sustained its operational activities in parts of the North West Zone. Within the period in focus, troops with the support of the Air Component stormed some armed bandits’ hideouts during clearance operations at; Chikun LGA, Damba and Kange Kadi villages in Kaduna State. The operations dealt heavy blows on the criminal elements as they suffered heavy casualties from troops’ superior firepower
“Within the period under review, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE have continued to record more success in its operations in the North Central Zone. Some of these operations yielded significant results at some locations in the Zone. Consequently, a total of 35 arms including AK-47 rifles, Machine Guns, teargas launchers, locally-made pistols and rifles, 25 extra rifle magazines and 431 rounds of ammunition were recovered within the period. Also, a total of 11 armed bandits were arrested and 2 kidnapped civilians were rescued in the course of the operations.
“Furthermore, troops held peace and security meetings with community/youth leaders and other critical stakeholders and security agencies at the Lau Town Hall in Lau LGA and Dogon Gawa Town in Takum LGA of Taraba State. These meetings were also conducted at; Gbise Market Square and Katsina-Ala LGA Headquarters in Katsina-Ala LGA as well as Zaki-Biam community in Ukum LGA of Benue State.
“Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have remained steadfast in the execution of land, maritime and air operations in the South-South Zone, to forestall activities of economic saboteurs and other criminal elements. In the course of these operations, troops discovered and deactivated illegal oil refining/bunkering sites; impounded vessels as well as other equipment and items used for illegal bunkering activities and in some occasions arrested some criminal elements and recovered arms and ammunition.
“Cumulatively, troops discovered and immobilized a total of 27 illegal refining sites, 57 ovens, 17 cooking pots/boilers, 2 cooling systems, 37 reservoirs, 9 large dugout pits and 27 storage tanks, drums and sacks laden with illegally refined oil products. Additionally, 9 criminal elements were arrested and one Dane gun, among other items, were recovered in the course of the operations in the Zone. Consequently, a total of 788,500 litres of illegally refined AGO and 229,000 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered in the course of the operations.”
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