From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Minister of Defense Mohammed Badaru, Thursday said that the counter insurgency operations in the north east by the Armed Forces in the past one year led to the killing of 20 top terrorists and bandits commanders in the country.
Badaru, who made this known while giving an update on the deliverables of the defense ministry, hinted that military ike ratings led to the rescue of 4,641 kidnap victims and recovery of 83,900 assorted ammunitions.
In the Niger Delta, the minister said that 245 captives have been released, 351 illegal oil production sites destroyed and 408 vehicles recovered from criminals engaged in illegal bunkering.
According to the minister, the army is working closely with regional security agencies to improve the security situation with nations borders adding that the president has also supported troops to enhance their capacity through procurement and upgrade of equipment.
He highlighted the collaboration with over 50 companies in Nigeria in the production of weapons and other armory.
He pledged the unwavering commitment of the armed forces in the fight against insurgency, and the protection of Nigerian from enemy invasion.