By Linus Aleke
The High Command of the Nigerian military said that the last few days were characterized by some operational setbacks orchestrated by terrorists and criminals in North Central.

It, however, noted that the setbacks has not dimmed the light on the huge gains and success achieved by troops in other theatres of operation especially in the North East, North West, and South-South.

Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko who made this lamentation while, briefing Defence correspondent in Abuja, also added that troops would not relent on the arduous task of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.

He also disclosed that a total of 51,114 Boko Haram Terrorists and families who surrendered to troops as of 5 April 2022, comprised 11,398 men, 15,381 women, and 24,335 children.

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According to Onyeuko,
“In the last two weeks, the land component with the support of the air component conducted offensive operations at different locations of the theatre such as Ukuba/Camp Zairo, Sabil Huda, Ba Masaa, Wulgo, Marta, futanari village, Uraha Crossing Point, Mbalala, Gamboru towhaven all in Borno State. Notably among the exploits of own troops was the capture of the terrorist’s stronghold by Ukba/Camp Zairo in the Sambisa Forest where some artillery guns, Armored Personnel Carrier, trailers, and a large cache of arms and ammunition were captured.

“Also, own troops destroyed terrorist enclaves, captured some terrorists, destroyed terrorists improvised explosive making factory. Furthermore, troops also rescued kidnapped civilians and arrested terrorist spies and their logistics suppliers. The Air Component between 28 – 31 after several days of surveillance of terrorist activities at Bukar Meiram and 2km South of Kollaram conducted air interdictions which took out a heavy stockpile of ISWAP weapons in their depot.

“Cumulatively, in the last 2 weeks troops recovered 1 Battle Tank, 5 artillery guns, 2 GTS, 3 AA guns, 1 Mine Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, 3 gun trucks, 1 MOWAG Armored Personnel Carrier, 2 RPG tubes, 3 RPG rockets, 3 RPG bombs, 1 NSVT gun, 2 GPMG, 1 light MG, 1 PKM, 3 GPMG belts, 4 belts of PKT rounds, 600 7.62mm NATO rounds, 16 AK 47 rifles, 1 Dane gun, 270 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 1 Toyota Buffalo vehicle, 1 Golf saloon car, 4 motorcycles, 6 magazines, 2 pairs of camouflage, 2 terrorist flags, 1 tricycle, and 1 active drone. Also, troops neutralized scores of terrorist arrests, 22 terrorist spies, 11 terrorists, 3 logistics suppliers, rescued 30 civilians, of significant, is the surrender of a high-profile terrorist, Commander Sale Mustapha (Ibn Kathir) to own troops in Bama. He was the Qaid of Garin Ba-Abba. While a total of 51,114 Boko Haram Terrorist and families surrendered to troops comprising of 11,398 men, 15,381 women, 24,335 children as of 5 April 2022”.

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Onyeuko, a Major General said that all surrendered terrorists have been documented, while arrested, rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

Speaking on Operations Thunder Strike, Gen. Onyeuko said that within the period under review, the troops recorded some modest success as the air component on 30 March 2022 conducted airstrikes upon receiving credible intelligence report about the movements of some terrorists on motorbikes towards Akilibu – Sarkin Pawa road at Mangoro village, between Kaduna and Niger State.

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“The air component intercepted and neutralized scores of the terrorists. Accordingly, 34 terrorists were neutralized while 14 locally fabricated guns and 17 motorcycles were recovered. All recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary action. Also, on 31 March 2022, a large concentration of terrorists was sighted around Kusatsu after deliberate air surveillance and air interdiction was carried no fewer than 33 terrorists were neutralized according to an eyewitness account,” he concluded.