N350m terror funds intercepted — Army

The Nigerian Army has intercepted more than N350 million linked to terrorist financiers in the North-East, the outgoing Theatre Commander, North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abubakar Abdulsalam, has said.

Abdulsalam disclosed this on Tuesday in Maiduguri at the headquarters of the Theatre Command during a press briefing marking his exit from the command.

According to him, more than 7,000 displaced families have returned to their ancestral communities, with previously abandoned communities being reoccupied.

He said troops also neutralised more than 1,200 members of the JAS and ISWAP terrorist groups, including notable leaders, while over 216 top-ranking terrorist leaders were taken out.

He added that troops recovered more than 500 assorted weapons and over 25,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibres during the period.

Abdulsalam said no fewer than 758 terrorist logistics collaborators were captured, while more than 300 explosive devices were discovered and safely detonated from April 25 to the time of the briefing.

He said sustained military pressure, alongside non-kinetic efforts aimed at providing dignified pathways, had resulted in an unprecedented wave of surrenders, particularly this year.

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The commander said his mandate, upon assuming command on April 28 last year, was to facilitate the restoration of normalcy in the North-East and create conditions for socio-economic activities to thrive.

According to him, progress was measured by the reopening of markets and major supply routes, the return of schools and the resettlement of displaced persons in their communities.

He said the NYSC Orientation Camp had returned to Maiduguri after more than 13 years, while WAEC and NECO examinations were now being conducted in communities such as Banki and Gwoza.

Abdulsalam added that trade routes had been reopened and local markets had returned to life.

He further disclosed that more than 3,000 people had been voluntarily and in a dignified manner repatriated from the Republic of Cameroon.

The outgoing commander expressed appreciation to the military authorities and the Borno State Government for their support, particularly the provision of MRAPs, long-range surveillance cameras and drones.