By Cross Udo, with agency report
Troops of “Operation Hadin Kai’’ (OPHK) apprehended at least 79 terrorists and their collaborators in the Northeast in the last two weeks.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Musa Danmadami, made the declaration in Abuja on Thursday at the bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces.
Danmadami said troops also eliminated many terrorists in land and air operations and rescued 14 abductees including two Chibok school girls during the period.
He said the two Chibok girls, Yana Pogu and Rejoice Senki were rescued with their children.
They were rescued at Bula Davo village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno and Kawur village in Konduga Local Government Area also in Borno alongside 12 other abductees.
Danmadami also told newsmen that troops arrested 29 Boko Haram terrorists and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) logistics suppliers in different locations within the period.
Items recovered from them included 50 big bags of dry fish, two big sacks of fried meat, 55 jerry cans of petrol, N2.4m, and other sundry items, he said.
He added that troops also apprehended a suspected ammunition technician at Gorom village in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno.
He had with him 300 empty cases of ammunition suspected to be used for fabricating 7.62mm special ammunition
Danmadami said also that six suspected terrorists’ informants and collaborators including a foreigner were arrested at different locations.
“Troops recovered six AK47 rifles, 14 AK47 magazines, one HK gun, one G3 rifle, 112 rounds of 7.62mm special, 285 rustled cattle, and eight gallons of petrol within the period in focus.
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“Troops also neutralised 19 terrorists, arrested 42 suspected terrorists’ logistics suppliers, and rescued three civilians.
“A total of 418 terrorists, including their families, who claimed to have lost interest in the ideology of Boko Haram, surrendered to the military.
“They comprise 44 adult males, 135 adult females, and 239 children.
“All recovered items and arrested Boko Haram terrorists were handed over to the appropriate authority for further action while surrendered terrorists and their families are being profiled for further action,’’ Danmadami said.
He said also that between Sept. 23 and Sept. 28, the air component of OPHK carried out air interdiction operations at identified terrorist enclaves at Kolaram and Bukar Meram both in the Southern Lake Chad region of Borno.
He said the air strikes resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists and their structures destroyed.
The defence spokesman said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in the Northwest also neutralised five terrorists, arrested seven others, and rescued eight civilians in the last two weeks.
He said troops also conducted precision bombing on identified notorious terrorist leaders in Gwaska Dankaramis camp at Mashekari area in Zurmi Local Government Area and Sani Dangote Camp in Farara village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Danmadami said the airstrikes killed a suspected terrorist leader identified as Dogo Rabe and seven members of his gang, while others fled in disarray.
*Buhari meets 23 freed Kaduna train passengers, thanks military for bravery
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday met with the freed 23 passengers of the March 28 Abuja-Kaduna train attack at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) hospital in Kaduna.
This was disclosed via a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.
According to the statement, the President made an impromptu visit to the hospital to see the victims of the train attack after commissioning Cadets of 69 Regular Course (Army, Navy, and Air Force) of the NDA, in Afaka, Kaduna State.
“Before boarding NAF 001 back to Abuja from the Kaduna International Airport, President Buhari detoured to the hospital, where he also thanked the Nigerian military for their brave services in securing the safe release of the hostages from Boko Haram terrorists,” it stated.
It further stated that members of the Chief of Defence Staff Action Committee, led by Maj.-Gen. Usman Abdulkadir (retd), who facilitated the release of the hostages, was present at the hospital.
Others are Maj.-Gen Adamu Jalingo (retd), Brig.-Gen. Abubakar Saad (retd), Dr. Murtala Ahmed Rufai, Ibrahim Abdulllahi, Amb. Ahmed Magaji and Prof Yusuf Usman, Secretary.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. LEO Irabor had earlier introduced the Committee members and briefed the President.
