Troops Kill 39 Terrorists, Arrest 157, Rescue 109 Hostages

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops neutralised 39 terrorists, arrested 157 terrorists and rescued 109 Kidnap hostages across the country.

The troops also arrested 16 suspected oil thieves and recovered stolen products worth over N7.8m.

The director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, disclosed this on Thursday during the biweekly update on military operations. He said troops destroyed 71 dugout pits, 36 boats, 83 storage tanks and recovered 569,400 liters of stolen crude oil, 486,000 liters of illegally refined AGO and 59,500 liters of PMS.

He said the troops recovered 55 assorted weapons and 96 assorted ammunition.

The troops also recovered 12 AK47 rifles, one GPMG, one HK21 gun, one FN rifle loaded with 5 rounds of NATO ammo, two Dane guns, three fabricated rifles, one fabricated pistol, three locally made pistols, 11 AK47 magazines, 71 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 22 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, two rounds of 9mm ammo, and one cartridge.

Others include; one bandolier, 7 rounds 7.62mm special empty cases, 24 motorcycles, 13 mobile phones, 10 bicycles and the sum of N881,700.

Also troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 71 dugout pits, 36 boats, 83 storage tanks, five vehicles, four motorcycles, 58 cooking ovens, five pumping machines, three generators, three speedboats and 34 illegal refining sites.

Troops also recovered 569,400 liters of stolen crude oil, 486,000 liters of illegally refined AGO and 59,500 liters of PMS.

He assured that the military will continue to pursue aggressive operations against violent extremist groups seeking to undermine the security of the country.

The Director added that the armed forces remains focused on its core mission and would continually make adjustments along the way to better protect citizens, while isolating and annihilating those groups constituting a security nuisance to the country.