The Defense Headquarters has said troops of the Armed Forces eliminated more than 50 terrorists in various operations in the North East and North West theatres of operation in three weeks.
Director of Defense Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, who addressed reporters on Thursday, said the troop of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), between December 30 and January 12, eliminated about 25 Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the North East. The troops also apprehended 18 terrorists and 21 logistics suppliers, two foreign informants and five kidnappers across the theatre during the period, he added.
Gen. Danmadami noted that the troops also rescued 47 civilians, while 377 terrorists and members of their families, comprising 52 males, 126 females and 199 children, surrendered to the troops. He said all recovered items, arrested criminals, rescued civilians were handed over to the appropriate authority for further action.
He said: “The captured terrorists and those who surrendered with members of their families are being profiled for further action. Cumulatively, within the last three weeks, troops recovered 21 AK47 rifles, four FN rifles, three locally-made pump action guns, five locally-made pistols and three PKT machine guns.
“Other items recovered are 124 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 139 rounds of 7.62mm special, 29 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 140mm bomb, one UXO 81mm mortar bomb, three RPG tubes and bombs, 36 hand grenades, five dane guns and five FN magazines, 19 drums of Automotive Gas Oil, five drums of Premium Motor Spirit, 10 bags of assorted grains, 10 crates of soft drinks, 150 pieces of used clothing, 50 women fabrics, 50 children wears and 30 pairs of women shoes.
“Other items are textiles materials, medical supplies, 21 motorcycles, 16 bicycles, two grinding machines, one tanker loaded with PMS, 30 rustle cattle, N938,580.00 and other sundry items.”
In North West, Danmadami said the land and air component of Operation Hadin Daji had sustained offensive operation on terrorists’ enclaves, camps and hideouts within the zone. He said the troops within the period neutralised 25 terrorists, apprehended 19 and rescued 68 civilians, while scores of other terrorists were killed in air interdiction operations.
The spokesman added that the troops also arrested a terrorist collaborator at Madachi, in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State, with N1.5 million.
According to him, the suspect said he was sent by one Nasiru, a notorious terrorist on the wanted list of security agents.
“Nasiru was responsible for the killing of several locals in Birni Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State…”
