The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, says troops have in the last one week neutralized no fewer than 254 terrorists and arrested 368 others in various theatres of operation across the country.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, disclosed this during a press briefing on Friday.
“During the week under review troops recorded the following: troops neutralised 254 and arrested 264 of them,” he said.
“The ongoing counter-terrorism and counter insurgency operations have prevented these evil elements from accomplishing their strategic objectives.”
“Troops also recovered 378 assorted weapons and 4,705 assorted ammunition comorising 131 AK47 rifles, two FN rifles, two G3 rifles, three SMGs, 69 locally fabricated guns and 57 pump action guns,” he said.
Buba also reiterated the commitment of the armed forces to degrade terrorists’ “ability to carry out small-scale attacks which are intended to create panic in localities across operational theatres in the country.”
In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai eliminated 63 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, apprehended 13 and recovered 47 AK47 rifles, among a large cache of arms and ammunition.
He further said that a total of 81 terrorists and their family members comprising 28 adult males, 78 adult females and 147 children surrendered to troops in Bama and Damboa Local Government Areas of Borno during the week.
In the North Central, he said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralized 35 insurgents, arrested 72 others and rescued five kidnapped hostages across Benue, Plateau and Taraba States within the week.
In the North West, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 128 insurgents, arrested 27 and rescued 65 kidnapped hostages in different encounters in Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto States.
He said the troops also recovered 124 AK47 rifles, 30 locally fabricated guns, six pump action guns, 1,233 rounds of 7.62mm special, 986 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 54 rounds of 9mm ammo, 99 live cartridges, among other items.
Buba said the troops of Operation Whirl Punch arrested 42 suspected illegal miners and insurgents from a mining site in Kwali Area Council of FCT Abuja during the week.
He said the troops also neutralised 14 insurgents and arrested 54 others in parts of Kaduna State and the FCT.
In the Niger Delta area, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe discovered and destroyed 67 illegal refining sites with 131 dugout pits, 70 boats, 125 storage tanks and 12 vehicles.
“Other items recovered include 43 cooking ovens, 12 pump machines, six speed boats and one outboard engine.
“Troops also recovered 3.28 million litres of stolen crude oil, 224,050 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,925 litres of DPK,” he said.
In the South East, Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA, neutralised 28 insurgents, arrested two violent extremists and rescued one kidnapped hostage, as well as recovered arms and ammunition.
In the South West, he said the troops of Operation AWATSE, successfully conducted cordon and search operation and apprehended nine suspected terrorists and rescued four kidnapped hostages in Badagry and Ikorodu areas of Lagos State.
