By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Military High Command said the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji killed no fewer than 52 terrorists at different locations in Northeast and Northwest theatre of operations.

This is even as a military jet bombed an assembly of terrorists who had gathered for a strategic meeting, as revealed by air interdiction carried out on 14 March 2022 at Unguwar Adam village in Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Also, 7,000 Islamic State of West Africa Province/Boko Haram terrorists from different locations surrendered to their troops in two weeks, the Director Defence Media Operations Major General Benard Onyeuko disclosed.

Onyeuko who made this revelation while interacting with Defence Correspondent on Thursday, also said the air interdiction followed intelligent report about the gathering of terrorists possibly for a meeting of their key commanders and leaders.

He said that the military dispatched an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft to monitor activities at the location, which confirmed that over 50 of the terrorists congregated for the meeting.

“Consequently, the air component vectored the fighter jet to the location, human intelligence gathered indicates that 27 of the terrorists were neutralized. Prominent among those neutralized include one Mallam Sule who is a brother to major bandit Lalbi Ginshima was a major setback for the group.

“Furthermore, another air interdiction was carried out at a terrorist enclave at Magaba in Kaduna State, neutralizing scores of the terrorists while those fleeing were trailed and mopped up by ground troops.

“Cumulatively, own troops neutralized 8 Bandits, arrested 7 bandits, rescued 56 civilians and recovered 1 AK 47 rifles, 2 generators, 3 MC, 1 motorcycle and 1 pumping machine. All arrested, rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action,” he further revealed.

The Military Operations spokesperson added that the troops of Operation Hadin Kai recorded success as the air components in this theatre of operation on 15 March 2022 conducted airstrikes on terrorists within the Lake Chad Region and Tumbuns Close to Wulgo in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

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“During the airstrikes, key members of Islamic State of West African Province were neutralized. Other operations were conducted in Marsele, Musini, Gwoza, Liman Kara, Mandara, Fadhis, Waitini, Galdekore, Izza, Garin Ba’abba, Sambisa forest, Ashigashiya all in Borno State.

The operational achievement includes neutralization of 17 terrorists, arrest of 35 terrorists, recovering 34 AK 47, 5 Dane guns, 9 locally made guns, 270 rustled cows, 3 motorcycles, AK 74, and 13 bicycles used for logistics movement. While 7000 Islamic State of West Africa Province/Boko Haram Terrorist from different locations surrendered to their troops. Troops also rescued 27 civilians,” he said.

Onyeuko said the surrendered terrorists have been profiled, while rescued civilians and recovered items were handed over to appropriate authorities for further action.