By Linus Aleke
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Thursday, said that another batch of four hundred and sixty-six Boko Haram and Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists and their families surrendered to Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in Borno State.
It also noted that the surrendered criminal elements comprised 120 Adult Males, 137 Adult Females and 209 Children.
The Director, Of Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko who made the revelation while briefing newsmen in Abuja, also said the surrendered terrorists claimed to have lost interest in the BHT ideology.
The operational activities, which covers between 10 – 24 February also led to the discovery of 38 illegal refining sites in the creeks of Niger Delta by troops of Operation Delta Safe.
He said, “During the period under review, own troops conducted operations along Pulka-Kariwa, Kekeno, Road Gwoza-Limankava-Damboa Biu road to Sabon Gari at Mandaragrau in Biu Local Government Area, etc, which led to the surrendering of 466 Boko Haram and ISWAP Terrorists and their families, comprising of 120 Adult Males, 137 Adult Females and 209 Children with the claimed to have lost interest in the BHT ideology.
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“Relatedly, On 11 Feb the Air Component of OPERATION HADIN KAI carried out air interdiction at Bukar Sairam village in Marte Local Government Area, in the process Mohammed Yusuf the leader of Rijal Amn Special Forces was neutralized. Cumulatively, the troops within the last 2 weeks, neutralized 63 fighters, arrested 86 members of the terrorists, recovered 4 gun trucks, 25 AK47 rifles, 56 magazines with 6.2mm special ammunition, 78 rounds of different calibres of ammunition, 67 packets of rounds on links, 3 FN grenades and 3 bandoliers. Additionally, 20 abducted civilians were rescued by their own troops. The surrendered terrorists have been properly documented and handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary actions”.
He added that “Troops of Operation Delta Safe within the period under review, recovered a total of One million, One hundred and eighteen thousand, One hundred and Seventy-Five litres (1,118,175 litres) of illegal AGO and Two Million and Eight Six Thousand litres (2,086.000 litres) of stolen crude oil.
“Similarly, troops discovered 38 refining sites, 100 metal storage tanks, 25 dugout pits, 75 cooking ovens, 20 Cotonou boats, 35 Yamaha pumping machines, 15 coolants as well as 10 tankers were recovered. Also, 35 galvanized pipes illegally connected were destroyed. Furthermore, 13 economic saboteurs associated with pipeline vandalization were arrested. All recovered items and apprehended criminals have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further actions”.
