The Defence Headquarters yesterday said troops of the armed forces have in the last week neutralised 31 terrorists and apprehended 81 others in various operations across North East, North Central, and North West.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said the troops also rescued 10 kidnapped hostages, while a total of 63 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their families surrendered to troops across theatres of operation.
This came as the bandits killed four persons and injured four others at Uguwan Dankali in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Friday, police spokesman in Kaduna State, ASP Mansir Hassan, stated yesterday.
The defence headquarters noted that in the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducted fighting patrols in the Bama and Chibok local government areas of Borno State, as well as the Gujba LGA of Yobe State.
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Buba said the troops also recovered 12 AK47 rifles, two locally fabricated rifles, three Dane guns, 181 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, four magazines, and three motorcycles, among other items, adding that the troops neutralised 13 terrorists, arrested 12 and rescued five kidnapped persons.
In the North-Central, he said the troops of Operation Safe Haven arrested five suspects and recovered arms and ammunition, as well as 145 rustled cows during the week.
He said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke had On October 1, arrested two IPOB/ESN criminals in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue while on patrol, adding that the criminals were arrested at the residence of a top herbalist, while the herbalist fled.
He said, “Troops recovered body armour and bulletproof vests. Overall, troops arrested three suspects and recovered two locally fabricated rifles, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, five cutlasses, one body armour, one bulletproof vest, and a jack-knife.”
In the North West, Buba said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised six terrorists, arrested 12, and rescued 33 kidnapped persons.
He said the troops also recovered four AK47 rifles, two Dane guns, 35 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, three motorcycles, five mobile phones, one cutlass, and five solar panels.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Punch also eliminated one terrorist and recovered three AK47 rifles, one AK47 magazine loaded with five rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, 32 rounds of 7.62mm special, 10 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm warheads, one cutlass, amongst other items,” he added.
He stated that the armed forces and citizens are partners in combating common enemies, which are terrorists and violent extremist groups.
“Accordingly, the military, through its operations, continues to prevail against the effects of insurgency and terrorism with an ultimate goal of securing the country against perpetrators of insecurity for national progress,” he said.
*Bandits kill four, injure four, abandon five kidnap victims in Kaduna community
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Mansir Hassan, yesterday said bandits have killed four persons and injured four others at Uguwan Dankali in Zaria Local Government Area of the state.
He stated that upon receiving a distress call late Friday, a joint response team of the police, the military, and the civilian Joint Task Force went in pursuit of the bandits.
Hassan added that in the gun duel that ensued, the bandits abandoned five victims they already kidnapped.
“The victims were immediately rescued and conveyed to the hospital alongside the injured,” he stated.
He added that the police had arrested a bandit suspected to be one of those that attacked Uguwan Dankali and he was found to have several military woodland camouflage wears.
He stated also that an investigation had since started and efforts were being intensified to arrest the fleeing other bandits.
Hassan added that Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Mr Musa Garba had commiserated with the families of those that lost their lives to the attack.
