Troops Kill 51 Terrorists, Arrest 168 Others

Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said troops deployed on internal security in the North East, North West, North Central and South East have neutralised 51 insurgents, arrested 168 other terrorists, collaborators and rescued 89 kidnapped civilians in three weeks.

The Defence Media Operations disclosed this in an update on military operations across the country covering between 15 June – 6 July 2023.

According to the brief read by Brig-Gen. Abdullahi Ibrahim, 967 terrorists comprising 82 adult males, 354 adult females and 531 children surrendered to troops in the North East while one terrorist surrendered in the North West zone.

In the North East, he said the troops neutralized 24 Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, captured 10, apprehended 39 collaborators and logistics suppliers and rescued 35 kidnapped civilians.

The troops also recovered 19 AK47 rifles, one HK 21 rifle, four dane guns, one locally made pistol, one Unexploded Explosive Ordnance, 15 AK47 magazines, 582 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 41 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 25 cartridges and one tear gas.

Other items recovered include; two Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists uniforms, four mini solar panels, two wooden boats, two cutlasses, three daggers, 26 mobile phones, five blankets, cooking utensils, 15 livestock, four motorcycles, three  bags of grains, two bags of sugar, five cartons of dry fish, one bag of flour, one bag of detergent, three vehicle, four  motorcycles, six bicycles, 617 jerrycans of premium motor spirit, 30 litres of groundnut oil, two bags of fertilizer, 56 sheets of zinc, mosquito nets, mosquito coils, box of matches and other valuable items as well as the sum of N354,875.00 only.

Meanwhile, 967 terrorists comprising 82 adult males, 354 adult females and 531 children surrendered to troops at different locations due to troops’ offensive operations against terrorists in the theatre of operations.

In the North Central, he said the troops neutralized seven terrorists, arrested 44 suspected criminals and rescued six kidnapped civilians.

Troops also recovered 202 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 190 rounds of 5.5mm ammo, 27 rounds of 5.56 x 45mm NATO, six AK47 rifles, two locally fabricated AK47 rifles, two locally fabricated shotguns, one FN rifle, one dane gun, one AK47 magazine and one bullet proof vest.

Other items include; 17 bags of cannabis, 2,374 tablets of 500mg benzhexol, 570 tablets of 500mg of diazepam, 14 tablets of 100 mg diazepam, 29 tablets of 100mg tramadol, 10 tablets of 225mg of tramadol, 24 tablets of dolometa capsules, 60 railways sleepers, two motorcycles, 10 mobile phones and 95 rustled livestock.

Furthermore, in the North West, the troops neutralized 16 terrorists, arrested 38 suspected criminals and rescued 38 kidnapped civilians, while one Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist equally surrendered.

In a related development, troops in the South East neutralized four Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals, arrested 37 suspected criminals as well as rescued 15 kidnapped civilians.

He said all recovered items, apprehended suspects and rescued kidnapped civilians have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action while the surrendered Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists have been profiled and documented for further action.