By Tobias Lengnan Dapam
The Defence Headquarters said from January till date, troops of Operations HADIN KAI neutralized 2,918 terrorists, arrested 2,285 suspects and rescued 1,496 kidnapped hostages.
Major General Edward Buba, Director, Defence Media Operations stated this on Thursday while giving update on the military operations in the country.
He added that the troops recorded 257 surrendered BH/ISWAP terrorists combatants and their families.
He said the offensive operations were conducted to known terrorists safe haven such as the Sambisa Forest, Timbuktu Triangle as well as the Tunbums along the Lake Chad Basin. “Several terrorist leaders, combatants and the families surrendered as a result of the intensity of troops operations.”
He listed recovered items to include: 1,682 AK47 rifles, 392 fabricated rifles, 403 dane guns, 363 assorted arms, 39,612 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 15,253 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 11,931 assorted ammunitions.
Speaking further, he quoted Plateau state Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, saying that “the troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN significantly restored peace in the Plateau as a result of their operations, since the beginning of the year.”
Buba, said these operations resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists and violent extremist leaders, commanders and combatants.
“The support system for the terrorist were equally not spared by troops operations. Accordingly, several gun runners, kidnappers, informants and collaborators were arrested during the year.
“Overall, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 411 violent extremist, arrested 1,859 and rescued 927 kidnap hostages. Troops also recovered 238 AK47 rifles, 307 fabricated guns, 295 assorted arms, 18,324 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2,710 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 1,689 assorted ammunitions.
“Troops of Op WHIRL STROKE sustained their operations all through the year in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa States. The operations significantly delivered damages to the terrorist fighting capabilities.
“Troops hunted the terrorist and destroyed them in areas in which they were hibernating. Troops also arrested several notorious gunner runners, kidnappers and terrorist collaborators. Accordingly, the terrorist were denied the ability to carry out major offensive to harm citizens.
“Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized 583 terrorists, arrested 916 suspects and rescued 649 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 291 AK47 rifles, 302 assorted arms, 12,925 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,458 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 2,227 rounds of assorted ammunition.”
Speaking further, he said troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI continued all through the year to create a conducive and stable security environment for agricultural activities and other forms of socio-economic activities in KADUNA, KATSINA, KEBBI, SOKOTO and ZAMFARA State in the NW as well as NIGER State in the NC Zone.
“Troops boxed in the terrorist through its operations, cutting off their resupply routes and chains. Accordingly, several notable terrorist neutralised leaders, commanders and combatants were destroyed as a result of troops operations.
“Overall, since the beginning of the year till date, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI neutralized 2,646 terrorists, arrested 1,654 suspects and rescued 2,339 kidnap hostages.
“Additionally, troops recovered 1,341 AK47 rifles, 424 fabricated guns, 486 assorted arms, 29,068 rounds of 7.62mm special, 13,759 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 4,127 assorted ammunitions.
“ In another operation, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH delivered significant damage to the terrorist military capabilities from January till date. Indeed, troops onslaught has is causing the terrorist motivation to be lowered and lower indicated by surrendering that commenced in the NC theatre of operation.
“Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH neutralized 732 terrorists, arrested 1,842 suspects and rescued 569 kidnap hostages.
“Troops equally recovered 357 AK47 rifles, 289 assorted arms, 12,312 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5,658 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 2,807 assorted ammunitions.”
