From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Defence Media Organisation (DMO) said troops fighting the counter insurgency war and other internal security operations across the country killed 64 terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminals disrupting the peace in the country in the last two weeks.
The soldiers were also said to have arrested 182 other criminals, rescued 49 kidnap victims, while 743 repentant Boko Haram terrorists and their family members, comprising 42 males, 251 females and 452 children, surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatres of operation.
Director, Defence Media Organisation, Major General Musa Danmadami, made the disclosure at a media briefing on military and other security agencies operations conducted between June 1-15 in various parts of the country.
Danmadami said within the period under review, the soldiers discovered and destroyed 57 illegal refining sites, 27 wooden boats, 158 storage tanks, 149 ovens and eight dugout pits. The troops also recovered 122,600 litres of crude oil, 89,850 litres of AGO, seven vehicles, 18 pumping machines, one outboard engine, one speedboat, six assorted ammunition, one weapon, one tricycle and arrested 16 suspected oil thieves.
Gen. Danmadami, while noting that security operations conducted within the last two weeks yielded significant results, said several terrorists were killed, terrorists logistics suppliers/informants arrested and several criminal strongholds destroyed.
Giving an update on the operations conducted within the period, Danmadami said: “The land, air and maritime components of Operation Hadin Kai have sustained the intensive efforts to decimate terrorists and other criminals in the Northeastern zone of the country. In furtherance to this, troops conducted several operations against terrorists enclaves, hideouts, camps and training grounds at villages, mountains and waterside within Konduga, Damboa, Bama, Gwoza, Mafa, Kukawa, Kaga, Shani and Monguno Local Government Areas of Borno State.
“Troops also conducted operational activities at villages within Kwaya Kusa local government area of Yobe State. In these operations, troops made contact with terrorists, and following these encounters, troops neutralised several Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and captured some, while also recovering arms, ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices and other sundry items.”
In North West, Danmadami said the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and other operations eliminated 38 bandits, apprehended 10 and rescued 24 kidnapped civilians. He said the troops also recovered 20 AK47 rifles, 92 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 894 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2 PKT gun, 28 AK47 magazines, eight rounds of 9mm ammunition, 83 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm special, five dane guns, and three IEDs.
“Other items include 19 motorcycles, 10 mobile phones, three baofeng radios and 34 cattle. Equally, the air component had between June 2 and June 6, conducted air interdiction operation at a terrorist leader’s enclave in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara observed with terrorist activities.
“Accordingly, the target was attacked with rockets neutralising several terrorists. Also, on June 4, similar operation was carried out within Batsari, Danmusa and Jibia Local Government Areas of Katsina State and Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara following intel on terrorists converging at these locations. Consequently, the target areas were engaged with rockets with several terrorists neutralised in the air strikes,” he added.
Danmadami said the land, air and maritime component of Operation Hadin Kai had sustained the intensive efforts to decimate terrorists and other criminals in the North East zone.
He said troops conducted several operations against terrorists enclaves, hideouts, camps and training ground at villages, mountains and waterside within Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, neutralising several terrorists, captured some and recovered weapons.
He said the land troops recovered several other items and the sum of N11.04 million, neutralised 20 terrorists, captured seven, apprehended 40 suspected logistics suppliers and 15 notorious criminal gang members. He said others arrested were four drug peddlers, three kidnappers and three terrorists collaborators.
Danmadami said the air component also conducted air operations at Tagoshe, observed to be active with terrorists moving under the trees with missiles. He said the information revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their structure destroyed in the air strike.
He said an air interdiction operation was also conducted at Mandara mountain in Borno, over a prominent building in the general area where it was observed with several terrorists’ movements.