The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday said its troops during kinetic and non-kinetic operations conducted in various theatres of operations across the federation, killed 60 Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP), terrorists, Boko Haram fighters, kidnappers, and other criminal elements, in two weeks.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Musa Danmadami, who said this during a bi-weekly briefing in Abuja, also disclosed that no fewer than 167 criminal elements were also apprehended within the period under review.
He further revealed that more than 145 terrorists and their families surrendered to the military in different locations within the same period.
He noted that the brief cover operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, conducted in addressing the various security challenges across the country between the period of October 20 and November 3, 2022.
According to him, “Troops of operation Hadin Kai in the North East Zone have sustained operational activities in villages, mountains, towns and cities within their area of responsibility. Between 20 October to 2 November 2022, troops conducted ambushes, clearance operations, fighting patrols, and cordon and search operations at different locations in Bama, Kukawa, Kaga, and Biu Local Government Areas in Borno State as well as Damaturu, Gujba, and Geidam Local Government Areas in Yobe states.
“Troops arrested 27 suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, neutralized 19, and recovered one RPG bomb, one GPMG, 2 x 36 hand grenade, six AK47 rifles, 61 rounds of 7.62mm special, 36 refilled 7.62 mm special, three AK47 magazines and three magazine holders”.
Danmadami noted that on 20 October 2022, troops in conjunction with Department of State Security personnel and Civilian Joint Task Force made contact with Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists in Buduwa and Banki villages in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State and neutralized 1 terrorist while other fled with gunshot injuries.
He added that one terrorist surrendered to his troops and handed over one AK47 rifle, five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one baofeng radio, two mobile phones, and one camel pack, among other items.
Also, troops in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force at custom Internally Displaced Persons Camp Shuwari town in Maiduguri Local Government Area of Borno State arrested one suspect in possession of 67 Permanent Voter Cards.
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The suspect, he said is currently in troops custody for further interrogation.
“Also, in the same camp, a known terrorist Mr Lawan Yashin who attempted to escape upon sighting troops was neutralized. During the period in focus, a total of 145 Boko Haram Terrorists and their families comprising 30 adult males, 33 adult females, and 82 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the North East theatre of operation,” he said.
He added that in a coordinated operation between the land component and the air component, troops repelled an attack by the Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa State Province terrorists at Wawa Cantonment in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
He said that following the engagement, troops neutralised three terrorists and captured five.
Troop also arrested 14 suspected illicit drug peddlers with large quantities of substances suspected to be on hard drugs.
“Also, troops of Guards Brigade raided an illegal mining site at Tukashara Wasa, Apo in Abuja Municipal Area Council on 30 October 22 and arrested 60 suspected illegal miners as well recovered four Dane guns, one locally fabricated gun, 14 cutlasses, four sled hammers, 25 motorcycles, one vehicle, and other items,” he concluded.
