Troops Killed 715 Terrorists, Rescue 465 Hostages In April — DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said troops across the country killed 715 terrorists, arrested 146 others and rescued 465 kidnapped hostages in April.

The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba disclosed this on Thursday during an update on military operations.

Maj.-Gen. Buba said troops recovered 937 assorted weapons, 23,034 assorted ammunitions and stolen products worth over N2,572,397,190.00 during the period.

The military spokesman gave a breakdown of recovered weapons as 495 AK-47 rifles, 190 locally fabricated guns, 43 pump action guns, 151 dane guns, 11,549 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo; 6,722 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 511 rounds of 9mm and 941 live cartridges.

Others include 2,563,335 litres of stolen crude oil, 254,620 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,050 litres of DPK and 8,000 litres of PMS amongst other item.

The Director also stressed that troops’ commitment to defeat the terrorist groups is non-negotiable as it would deny them the opportunity to terrorize or hurt citizens of this country.

General Buba said troops in the month under review conducted offensive operations ranging from ambushes, raids, fighting patrols and other covert operations.

“Tactically, whenever there is a clash between troops and terrorist on the ground, troops clearly win in the fire fight, though sadly in certain operations, casualties are sustained.

However, each and every engagement ends with troops victory, with several dead or surrendered terrorist in every location,” Buba said.

He said the air component carried out air offensives on identified terrorist leaders’ enclaves including that of terrorist Nasanda and his loyalist in Zurmi LGA of Katsina State.

He disclosed that three senior terrorist commanders – Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah and Mallam Ari were all killed in air strikes carried out on 13 April 2024 at Kolleram Village along Lake Chad.

Also on 15 April 2024, air strike destroyed enclave of terrorist commander, Babaru in Kankara LGA of Katsina State.

Similarly, on 19 April 24, the terrorist hideout belonging to a senior terrorist commander, Kamilu Buzaru in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State was decimated.

Furthermore, air strike on 20 April 2024, neutralised a gathering of senior terrorist commander, Ado Ailero and Kamilu Buzaru in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State.

Other terrorist commanders engaged within the period under review include Mallam Yadee at Mariga LGA of Niger State, Abdullahi Nasanda and Mallam Tukur in Zurmi and Gusau LGAs of Zamfara State.

The enclave of Mallam Umar and several other commanders located in the Alawa Forest area of Niger State and Bello Turji’s Camp in Kagara Forest located between Shinkafi in Zamfara and Isa LGA in Sokoto were also dislodged.

“All the surviving terrorist Commanders and leaders are walking corpses as we would get them, sooner than later.

“Overall, the armed forces is building and maintaining the momentum against the terrorists and their cohorts across the country,” he said.