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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Defence Media Organization (DMO) on Thursday said that counterinsurgency troops have killed arrested and killed 187, terrorists in the last one week across the country. Of the 187, the DMO, said 86, terrorists were killed, while 102 others were arrested.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-General Edward Buba, who made this known, said the various operations embarked by the military nationwide, has led to the destruction of several criminal hideouts and destruction of their logistics bases across the country.
He said “our operations clearly indicate that we are hunting the terrorist commanders and their seniors leadership. Indeed, from their topmost leadership to the lowest commanders are dead men walking and we will stop at nothing until they are dead or surrender.
“The armed forces has demonstrated commitment by our actions to winning this war. Troops will therefore continue to act with tremendous force to achieve the task ahead.
At a media briefing on update on military operations in the country, Gen. Buba said that soldiers rescued 21 kidnapped persons within the period and recovered 111 assorted weapons and 1,124 assorted ammunition comprising 65 AK47 rifles, one HK G3 gun, one G3 rifle, eight locally fabricated guns and 15 Dane guns. Others are, two fabricated rifles, one locally made pistol, one English pistol, one pump action gun, two auto pump action guns, two single barrel guns, “Others are: 14 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 993 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, five rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, five rounds of 7.62mm x 39mm, and 99 live cartridges.
Also recovered are one round of 9mm ammo, two bandoliers, two fabricated swords, 13 magazines, five vehicles, 29 motorcycles, six bicycles, mobile phones and one GTA radio, among others.
Giving an update on the operations, the DMO Director said In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed 20 terrorists, apprehended four, and rescued 40 kidnapped persons and recovered cache of arms.
According to him, the air component Hadin Kai conducted air interdiction on terrorists’ logistics base in Sambisa general area on January 5 killing several terrorists and destroyed their logistics, while similar air strikes were conducted on terrorists’ settlement on the outskirts of the Tumbuns in the Lake Chad region on Jan. 6, with rockets and cannons.
He said battle damage assessment conducted after the air strike revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and logistics destroyed in the air strike.
He said “Between Jan. 3 and Jan. 9, a total of 111 BH/ISWAP terrorists and their families comprising four adult males, 38 adult females and 69 children surrendered to troops within the theatre operations,”.
In the North West, Buba said the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch neutralised 69 terrorists, arrested 25, and rescued 63 hostages within the week, adding that the air component conducted air interdiction on notorious terrorist Kingpin Ado Aliero’s enclave in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara.
Buba, who said the terrorists were led by one Isuhu Dogo, a leader an associate and sibling of the notorious Aliero, said “After a confirmatory ISR, the location was acquired and attacked with bombs and rockets. Feedback revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their structures destroyed.
“Another air interdiction at terrorist kingpin Hamisu Mopol’s enclave in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, killed several terrorists and structures were destroyed,” he added.
In the North Central part of the county, Gen Buba, said troops of Operation Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke arrested 21 violent extremists and rescued 27 kidnapped persons.
Speaking on military operations in the Niger Delta region of the country, Gen. Buba, said soldiers discovered and destroyed 37 dugout pits, 65 boats, 71 storage tanks, 14 vehicles. He listed other items recovered by the troops to include 108 cooking ovens, 4 pump machines, one speedboat and 60 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 1,013,530 litres of stolen crude oil, 299,169 litres of illegally refined AGO and 3,158 litres of DPK, he added.
