By Linus Aleke
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Thursday said, troops of operations Hadin Kai have killed forty-eight (48), Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), terrorist fighters, intercepted sixty logistics suppliers, at the Northeast theatre of operations, in two weeks.
This is said, 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 Person Camps in border towns, within Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel regions.
Director, of Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami who made this disclosure, while, briefing Defence correspondent in Abuja, also, said, troops of operations Hadin Kai manoeuvred twenty (20), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), deactivated in an ambush by terrorists in the area within the period under review.
Major General Danmadami, also said, no fewer than three hundred and sixty-six (366), Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), terrorist fighters and their families surrendered to the state forces in the Northeast within the two weeks period.
Giving a breakdown of the surrendered terrorists, the Defence Headquarters (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.
Major General 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 6 – 20 October 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”.
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 neutralized 17 terrorists and recovered 1 GPMG, 5 AK47 rifles, 1 M21 rifle and 11 motorcycles,” the statement further disclosed.
He also said, that between 6 and 19 October 2022, 60 suspected logistics suppliers of the Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province were arrested by troops at different locations within the North East theatre of operation.
He added that on 13 October 2022, troops in conjunction with the Nigeria Police and NIS operatives intercepted 2 suspected fake National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) officials.
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“It was revealed that the suspects had visited the 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/Islamic State of West Africa Province members were neutralized, while 10 were arrested and 2 civilians rescued,” he said.
The Defence Operation’s spokesperson noted that Items recovered from the suspects range from bags of beans, maize, 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, 2 GPMG, 1 M21 rifle, one 125mm artillery bomb, 40 rounds of 7.62mm special, 6 Dane guns, 1 locally made gun, 1 vehicle, 4 mobile phones, 5 bicycles, 11 motorcycles, 64 bags of beans, 5 bags of maize, large quantities of substance suspected to be cannabis Sativa, medical supplies, assorted clothing materials, 46 livestock, the sum of N250,000.00 Naira 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/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and their families are being profiled for further action.
