From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters yesterday said troops on counter insurgency war and other security operations across the country have killed no fewer than 640 terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other criminals disturbing the peace of the country in the month of May.
The troops also arrested 1,051 terrorists, their informants, logistics suppliers, bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves, IPOB members and rescued 563 kidnapped hostages.
Director, Defence Media Operations(DMO), Major General Edward Buba,said 1,099 members of Boko Haram/ISWAP and their families members surrendered to troops at various theatres during the period.
Buba, at a media briefing on update on military operations conducted in the month of May, said troops also recovered 707 assorted weapons, 16,487 assorted ammunition comprising 411 AK47 rifles, 234 locally fabricated guns and 43 pump action guns, amongst others.
Giving an update on military operations conducted in the month under review, Buba, said troops have continued to receive tremendous institutional support and are receiving increasing popular support in the conduct of operations, adding that the level of troops stamina and commitment to completely destroying the terrorist remains unwavering.
According to him, “during the month of May, the potency of the terrorists was largely degraded with 624 terrorist neutralized, 1,051 terrorists including their logistic suppliers and informants arrested, while 563 hostages were rescued. Additionally, troops recovered 707 assorted weapons, 16,487 assorted ammunition and denied oil theft of an estimated sum over N705,836,036.00 only.
“Breakdown for the month of May 24 include but not limited to the following: 411 AK47 rifles, 234 locally fabricated guns, 43 pump action guns, 231 dane guns, 10,782 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 4,310 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 1,623 rounds 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 1,023 rounds of 511 rounds of 9mm and 2,100 live cartridges.
“Others are: 4,871,470 litres of stolen crude oil, 931,416 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,480 litres of PMS amongst other item.
“The joint operational environment coupled with the synergy with other security and intelligence agencies greatly assisted in the optimal performance of troops in the conduct of operations.
In the North East, Gen. Buba said Operation Hadin Kai, recorded tremendous successes with the killing of some notable key terrorists including Malam Mohammed, who was also a top manufacturer of Improvised Explosives Device(IED), cell in Sambisa Forest.
The DMO Director, while noting that the troops had rescued 386 hostages,who had been in captivity for over 10 years, said the victims have since been handed over to the Borno State Government.
Continuing, Gen. Buba, said:“During the month, troops neutralised 306 terrorist, arrested 199 suspects and rescued additional 219 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops also recorded 1,099 surrendered BH/ISWAP terrorists’ combatants and their families as they recovered 200 AK47 rifles and 53 fabricated rifles among others,”.
In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven conducted several offensive operations resulting in the killing of 39 terrorists, arrested 140 others, rescued 77 kidnap hostages and recovered nine AK47 rifles among others.
He also said that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, conducted several operations against terrorists and violent extremist strongholds and arrested violent extremists, their collaborators and several gunrunners. He said during the operations, troops neutralised 41 terrorists, arrested 184 suspects and rescued 48 kidnapped hostages and recovered 18 AK47 rifles, 27 assorted arms, with 2,237 rounds of 7.62mm special.
In the North West, Buba, noted that the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji had instigated rival clash among the terrorist groups, which led to the elimination of a notorious terrorist commander, Usman Modi Modi.
He said: “The troops killed the terrorist commander hitherto terrorising communities around Danmusa, Kankara and Safana LGAs of Katsina State.
“In Overall, the troops neutralised 262 terrorist, arrested 204 suspects and rescued 243 kidnap hostages,“.
He said the air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI, recorded significant air strikes to acquire terrorist camps in Faskari, Bayan Ruwa Maradun and Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara.
He said troops of Operation Whirl Punch, neutralised 56 terrorists, arrested 150 suspects and rescued 80 hostages as well as recovered 23 AK47 rifles. He said the air component destroyed several terrorists training camp in Kuduru, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State and enclaves at Kabago, Alawa Forest, Katarma and Kwaki general areas in Shiroro and Chikun Local Government Areas of Niger and Kaduna States.