Troops Kill 52 Terrorists, Rescue 62 Hostages

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops on internal operations across the country killed 52 terrorists, arrested 53 criminals, seven suspected oil thieves and rescued 62 kidnap hostages in one week.

The director of defence media operations, Major General Edward Buba who disclosed this in an update said the troops recovered 77 weapons and 658 assorted ammunition.

He said seven terrorists surrendered to troops within the period.

The troops also seized stolen products worth N946.3 million from oil thieves.

He said troops’ operations in the South-South resulted in the recovery of the following; 496,250 litres of stolen crude oil, 83,400 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,200 litres of PMS, four pumping machines, five speed boats, 34 dugout pits, 57 storage tanks, 16 wooden boats, 85 ovens and three outboard engines.

“Overall, as at 22 September 2023, the armed forces neutralized 52 terrorists and arrested the following; 53 criminals, seven suspected oil thefts while rescuing 61 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, a total of seven terrorists comprising of five adult males and one adult female surrendered to troops”.

General said a joint patrol team of operation Search and Flush ran into an ambush while  responding to a distress call in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State with casualties.