The Defence Headquarters announced that troops have eliminated 125 terrorists, apprehended 200 others, and rescued 140 kidnapped hostages in various operations across the country over the past week.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the DHQ spokesman, provided this update on Friday in Abuja, detailing the military’s nationwide operations. Buba reported that the troops recovered 120 assorted weapons and 1,793 rounds of ammunition, including 56 AK-47 rifles, 26 locally fabricated guns, 22 Dane guns, one SMG rifle, and seven pump-action guns.
Additional recovered items include one fabricated Beretta pistol, five 60mm mortar bombs, unexploded ordnance, 1,244 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 383 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 88 rounds of 7.62x54mm ammunition, 78 live cartridges, and 24 empty cases of 7.62mm ammunition. The troops also seized 21 AK-47 magazines, one Baofeng radio, six vehicles, 11 motorcycles, five bicycles, 38 mobile phones, and N2.7 million in cash, among other items.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralized 52 terrorists, arrested 40 suspects, and rescued 14 kidnapped hostages within the week. They recovered 23 AK-47 rifles, seven fabricated rifles, five Dane guns, one SMG gun, 16 magazines, 408 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 112 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 88 rounds of 7.62x54mm ammunition, and five 60mm mortar bombs, among other items.
In the North-Central region, troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralized 22 insurgents, arrested 38 violent extremists, and rescued 27 kidnapped hostages. In the North-West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 31 terrorists, arrested 21 terrorists, and rescued 30 kidnapped hostages, while also recovering a cache of arms.
According to him, the air component conducted an air interdiction on July 12, following intelligence and confirmatory ISR on the converging of suspected terrorists around Bukuru in the Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
“Battle damage assessment revealed that several terrorists were eliminated and their logistics destroyed.
“The troops of Operation Whirl Punch conducted offensive operations to Kwali Area Council of FCT Abuja, as well as Lokoja and Adavi LGA of Kogi State during the week.
“On July 8 and July 12, the air component of Operation conducted air interdiction on terrorists’ kingpins enclaves. The airstrikes were on enclaves belonging to terrorist commander Alhaji Layi in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State.
“Battle damage assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their structures destroyed,” he stated.
Mr Buba also said the air interdiction conducted at terrorist camps in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State killed several terrorists and destroyed their structures, as well as logistics.
He said the troops neutralised 18 terrorists, arrested 13 suspects and rescued 53 kidnapped hostages during the week.
