-
As 174 surrender with families in 2 weeks
-
We have record 30,000 surrendered so far – SGF
By Tobias Lengnan Dapam & Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Nigerian military said its troops have killed 96 bandits and rescued 8 civilians.
Speaking yesterday while giving update on the military operations in the country, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General, Bernard Onyeuko said the successes were recorded within two weeks.
He added that 174 Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists and their families comprising of 43 adult males, 58 females and 73 children from Villages around Bama and Dikwa Local Government Areas of Borno State surrendered to the troops.
He added that, the troops also recovered 4 AA-guns, 2,000 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 10 bicycles, 1 unexploded Improvised Explosive Device, 1 MOWAG APC, 1 truck mounted with 122 artillery gun, 1 machine gun, 4 AK 47 rifles, 1 60mm motar tube with 5 bombs.
“Also, 2 locally fabricated rifles, 2 pump action guns, 1 locally made pistol, 5 rounds of 7.62mm special and 4 phones were recovered.
“The operations took place in some parts of North East such as: Mandara Mountain, Kwatara hill, Fadagwe Village in Gwoza Local Government Area, Timbuktu Triangle, Buk Village in Damboa Local Government Area, Hawul Village and Mallam Fatori in Biu Local Government Area all in Borno State.
“Similarly, troops had an encounter with Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists along Debiro-Shaffa Village in Hawul Local Government Area. 2 terrorists were neutralized and 1 AK 47 rifle, 3 magazines, 143 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 dane gun, 1 pump action rifle and 6 cartridges were recovered.
“Troops exploited the area and recovered 574 rustled cattle, 22 motorcycles, 3 AK 47 rifles and 21 rounds ammunitions. Similarly, troops also conducted operational activities in Gargwaje Village in Gusau Local Government Area, Danmarke Village and Goronyo Mailele axis in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“Other locations are Kurami Village, Batasani, Yargamji in Batsari Local Government Area, Dantambara, Kolumbo, Tsambe Daji, Kyabbo Village in Jibia Local Government of Katsina State and Dankolo in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
“Consequently, the operations resulted in the neutralization of 90 terrorists, 8 civilians were rescued, and 2 locally fabricated rifles, 2 pump action guns, 1 locally made pistol, 5 rounds of 7.62mm special and 4 phones were recovered. Cumulatively, the operations neutralized 96 terrorists, rescued 8 kidnapped victims, and recovered large cache of ammunitions. All rescued civilians has been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further actions.”
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, said over 30,000 Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents and their families have so far surrendered in the North-East.
Mustapha disclosed this during a stakeholders engagement on the current security challenges facing the North-West Geopolitical zone in Kaduna on Thursday.
“You are also aware that this administration has taken far-reaching measures to tackle insecurity in the country.
“Some of the measures include; increase in budgetary allocation as well as shoring up the equipment holding of the Military and other security agencies.”
This was even as he said threats of the separatists in the South-East and South-South have reduced drastically.
According to the SGF, approval was granted for the recruitment of ten thousand (10,000) Police personnel for three (3) consecutive years while their salaries have been upwardly reviewed to boost their morale.
To this end, he said, “the insurgents in the North East have been decimated considerably, saying,’ over thirty-thousand (30,000) insurgents and their families have so far surrendered.
He also said the threats of the separatists in the South-East and parts of South-South geopolitical zones have reduced traction.
In the maritime, Mustapha alluded that the waters are now calm and “we no longer receive reports of daily attacks by pirates.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is therefore gratifying to note that the security situation has relatively improved across all parts of the country.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, had said the state government have awakened the security consciousness of its citizens, by making sure they realise that bandits do not care about religion or ethnicity.
“The insecurity we face is plain criminality. Terrorists are a threat to humanity in general and can only be defeated if we come together with adequate focus to confront them.”
