89 Hostages Rescued As Troops Kill 38 Terrorists, Arrest 205

The Defence Headquarters yesterday said troops deployed for internal operations across the country rescued 89 kidnapped hostages, killed 38 terrorists and arrested 30 terrorists collaborators and 175 gunmen within the past week.

The director, defence media operations, Major General Edward Buba in a statement on Thursday said the troops also arrested 20 kidnappers and 17 pipeline vandals in the week-long operation.

He said the troops further destroyed 39 illegal oil refining sites,72 dugout pits, 65 wooden boats, 70 storage tanks and 119 cooking ovens.

General Buba said the troops recovered 1,247,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 132,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, 57,450 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine and 800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

He said the troops denied the oil theft saboteours the sum of N607.3m being value of seizures.

He noted that troops in the week-long operation also recovered 38 assorted weapons and 186 ammunition.

Troops also recovered the sum of N2.5m cash within the period.

He reiterated that the military  would continue to take measures to prevent civilian casualties, adding that protecting civilians remained a vital part of the objective to promote greater security for all Nigerians.