Troops Kill 35 Terrorists, Arrest 46 Logistics Suppliers, Rescue 220 Civilians

Troops operating in the North East, North West and North Central on internal security operations killed 35 terrorists and rescued 220 civilians from captivity in two weeks.

This was revealed yesterday by the director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami at the biweekly update on Armed Forces of Nigeria’s operations between 9th-23rd March, 2023.

He said the troops arrested 46 terrorists’ logistics suppliers and recovered 36 AK 47 rifles and the sum of N4,244,490 cash from terrorists.

Gen Danmadami said 1,505 Boko terrorists comprising 154 adults males, 514 adult females and 838 children surrendered to their own troops at different locations within the period.

In his breakdown of the troops’ feats, he said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North East, neutralised 13 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, arrested six logistics suppliers and rescued 119 abducted civilians, while a total of 1,506 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families comprising 154 adult males, 514 adult females and 838 children surrendered to own troops at different location within the theatre of operation.

The troops recovered 16 AK47 rifles, one 60mm mortar bomb, 10 dane guns, 12 dummy rifles, one pump action gun, one PKT gun, 280 rounds of 7.62mm special, 118 rounds of 7.62 x 50mm NATO, 13 rounds of 5.56mm ammo, 10 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm NATO ammo, one round of 12.7mm NATO, 17 AK47 magazines, one firing pin, one mechanic tools box, two knives, six motorcycles, 24 mobile phones, 41 live stocks, assorted food items, one vehicle, sim card and other sundry items as well as the cash sum of N2,234,820.00 only.

He said the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted several air interdiction operations against terrorists’ enclaves and logistics in support of ground operations leading to the destruction of two terrorists’ logistics depots.

Danmadami said the feedback revealed that several terrorists were neutralized in the airstrike, while ground forces on mob up operations to locations recovered one gun truck, three AK47 rifles, one PKM gun, one PKM metal link with 19 rounds, two Improvised Explosive Devices, 129 rounds of 7.62mm x 39mm ammunition, five motorcycles fuel tanks, three bullet proof plates, 60 solar panel.

In the North West, he said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji within the period under review neutralized 14 terrorists, arrested 12 terrorists’ logistics suppliers and rescued 16 abducted civilians.

The troops recovered 14 AK47 rifles, one PKT MG, one RPG 7 tube, 15 AK47 magazine, seven pump action guns, 139 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm link ammunition, 218 rounds of 7.62mm special, 47 rounds of PKT ammunition, nine smoke canister, four locally made IEDs, one 40mm HEAP ammunition, two locally made cartridges, 12 mobile phones, eight motorcycles, packets of detergents, hard drugs, assorted food items and the sum of N9,670.00 cash.

Also, in the North Central, he said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke and Safe Haven within the period neutralized eight bandits/terrorists and arrested 28 others while five civilians were rescued from kidnappers.

The troops recovered six AK47 rifles, two pistols, six dane guns, two pump action guns, two AK47 magazines, five rounds of 9mm ammunition, 628 rounds of 7.62mm special, one cartridge, 18 cutlasses, two machetes, one pumping machine, six tyres, 31 used headsets, two boxes of alkaline battery, two exhaust pipes, two jerricans of Premium Motor Spirit, bunch of keys, and 3 ID cards among other items and the sum of N2,000,000 meant for ransom.

All the recovered items, arrested suspects and the rescued civilians have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.