By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday, said, that over 266 Boko Haram and Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP), terrorists and their families surrendered to troops of operations Hadin Kai, at different locations in the Northeast theatre, within two weeks, as troops across all theatres of operation killed no fewer than 157 terrorists and other criminal elements, within the period.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami made this disclosure in Abuja, while briefing Defence Correspondent on the successes of military and other security agencies’ operations in the past 14 days.
This is even as the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted series of air interdiction operation at terrorists hideout, enclaves and camps and killed scores of terrorists.
The military operation spokesperson also disclosed that cache of arms and ammunition were also recovered from the non state actors during these kinetic operations within the period.
Gen. Danmadami said, in the northeast alone, troops neutralized 42 terrorists, arrested five terrorists, nine terrorists logistics suppliers, two suspected vandals, five bandits as well as five armed herders.
He noted that troops also rescued six adopted civilians, while, a total of 267 terrorists and families members, comprising 22 adult male, 128 adult females and 117 children surrendered to troops at different locations of the North East theater of operation.
Gen. Danmadami told newsmen that all recovered items, apprehended criminals, and rescued civilians, were handed over to the appropriate authority for further action while captured terrorists and
surrendered Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province and members of their families are being profiled for further action.
He said: “Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have sustained and continued to dominate their general areas of operation. Operational activities were conducted in villages, forests, mountains, towns and cities of Kukawa, Bama, Biu, Damboa, Maiduguri, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Kaga, Abadam as well as Monguno Local Government Areas of Borno State.
Operations were also, conducted at Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State and Gujiba, Geidam and Damaturu Local Government Areas of Yobe States in the North East region of the country geared towards denying Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province and other criminal element freedom of actions and restore normalcy to the zone.
“Notably, on 12 January 2023 troops had a meeting engagement with Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists close to their locations in kwatan Turare and Azir Bri villages in Kukawa and Damboa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
During the encounter, troops engaged the terrorists in a firefight and neutralized five terrorists while others fled with gunshot injuries.
Also, troops on 14 January 2023 ambushed Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists close to Zanwa village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State”.
He said that several air interdiction operations were conducted at Dogon Chuku in the fringes of Northern Tumbums, Arina Kasa in Southern Tumbums of the Lake Chad Basin and Chidike in Mandara Mountains as well as Gezuwa area all in Borno State, adding that the battle damage assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized with their structures and logistics destroyed in the air strikes.
