By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday said troops of operations Hadin Kai have killed 48 Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorist fighters and intercepted 60 logistics suppliers at the North-East theatre of operations within the last two weeks.

This is in addition to the arrest of two suspected fake National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) officials, who are notorious for registering non-Nigerians at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in border towns within the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel regions.

Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, who made this disclosure, while, briefing Defence correspondents in Abuja, also, said, troops of operations Hadin Kai manoeuvred 20 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), deactivated in an ambush by terrorists in the area within the period under review.

Danmadami, also said, no fewer than 366 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist fighters and their families surrendered to the state forces in North-East within the two weeks.

Giving the breakdown of the surrendered terrorists, the DHQ said, a total of 366 Boko Haram terrorists and their families comprised of 23 adult males, 112 adult females and 231 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre.

Danmadami said, “The brief will cover operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies conducted in tackling the various security challenges across the country between the period of October 6 and 20, 2022.

“Troops of Operation Hadin Kai theatre of operation in the North East Zone of the country have continued to sustain and dominate their area of responsibilities as various operational activities were conducted in villages and towns in Bama, Gwoza, Gubio, Kaga, Kukawa, Ngala, Molai Local Government Areas all in Borno State.”

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The operational activities, he said, were also conducted at villages and towns in Bade and Gujuba Local Government Areas of Yobe State.

“Notably, on 11 October 2022 Boko Haram /Islamic State of West African Province terrorists ambushed troops with Improvised Explosive Device (IED) covered by fire at Gala Kura village in Bama Local Government Area following the firefight, troops neutralized 1 Boko Haram Terrorist and recovered 2 AK47 rifles.

“On the same day, troops on picketing duty along Gamboru – Dikwa road in Ngala Local Government Area were ambushed by Boko Haram/Islamic State of West African Province terrorists. The terrorists detonated 20 IEDs covered with fire.
“Troops countered the ambush and forced the terrorists to flee in disarray. Following the firefight, troops neutralised 17 terrorist and recovered one GPMG, five AK47 rifles, one M21 rifle, and 11 motorcycles,” the statement further disclosed.

He also said, that between the 6th and 19th of October 2022, 60 suspected logistics suppliers of the Boko Haram/ISWAP were arrested by troops at different locations within the North East theatre of operation.

He added that on October 13, troops in conjunction with the Nigeria Police and NIS operatives intercepted two suspected fake NIMC officials.

“It was revealed that the suspects had visited Gagamari IDP camp in the Niger Republic to register non-Nigerian in the IDP camp. Items recovered from the suspects include National Identification Number (NIN) registration machine, a printing machine, laminating machine, a computer tracking machine, and a generator set among other items. Consequently, during the weeks in focus, 31 suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP members were neutralised, while 10 were arrested and two civilians rescued,” he said.

The Defence Operation’s spokesperson noted that Items recovered from the suspects range from bags of beans, maize, bags of rice, gallons of Premium Motor Spirit, rustled livestock, medical supplies, clothing, and sewing machines among other items.

He said that within the weeks in focus troops recovered 14 AK47 rifles, two GPMG, 1 M21 rifle, one 125mm artillery bomb, 40 rounds of 7.62mm special, six Dane guns, one locally made gun, one vehicle, four mobile phones, five bicycles, 11 motorcycles, 64 bags of beans, five bags of maize, large quantities of substance suspected to be cannabis Sativa, medical supplies, assorted clothing materials, 46 livestock, the sum of N250, 000 and other sundry items.

All recovered items, arrested terrorists, logistics suppliers, and rescued civilians, he concluded, have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action while the surrendered Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their families are being profiled for further action.