Troops eliminate 113 terrorists, nab 300 others

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of the armed forces have eliminated 113 terrorists and apprehended 300 others in different operations in various theaters across the country in the last week.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said the troops also apprehended 25 perpetrators of oil theft, rescued 91 kidnapped hostages, and recovered 129 assorted weapons and 717 assorted ammunition within the period.

In the North East, he said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, while conducting fighting patrols, arrested BH/ISWAP logistics suppliers in Kukawa, Damboa, Monguno, and Konduga Local Government Areas of Borno.

The defense spokesman said the troops eliminated 17 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, arrested 16 and rescued six kidnapped hostages, and recovered different calibers of arms and ammunition during the period.

He added that the air component of Operation Hadin Kai had, on Nov. 2, engaged terrorists hibernating in the Degbewa area, where several of them were neutralized and their logistics destroyed.

In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven conducted a cordon and search operation in parts of Kaduna and Plateau States, killing five terrorists, arresting 14, and rescuing 15 kidnapped hostages.

He added that troops of Operarion Operation Whirl Stroke conducted raid operations at suspected criminal hideouts in parts of Nasarawa, Benue, and Plateau State, neutralizing two terrorists, arresting 10 and rescuing three kidnapped hostages.

In the North West, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 30 terrorists, arrested seven others, and rescued 31 kidnapped hostages in Katsina, Kebbi, and Zamfara States during the period.

He said the troops also recovered 15 AK47 rifles, one RPG tube, five RPG bombs, six hand grenades, five pairs of desert camouflages, 10 pairs of magazine purges, IED-making material, an unconfirmed number of ammo, and the sum of $16,200.

He added that the air component had, on Nov. 2, acquired and conducted an interdiction at terrorist leaders residences in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State.

According to him, the terrorist leader known as Badaru had several terrorists hibernating at the residence who were neutralized in the air strikes.

“Troops of Operation Whirl Punch conducted an offensive operation against terrorists in Birnin Gwari and Chikun Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, neutralizing 23 terrorists, arresting 83 suspects, and rescuing four kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 12 AK47 rifles, two pistols, one unserviceable AK47 rifle, 141 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one magazine, one motorcycle, and three mobile phones,” he said.

In the Niger Delta region, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe denied oil thieves an estimated sum of N571.7 million during the week.

He said the troops discovered and destroyed 76 dugout pits, 35 boats, 95 storage tanks, 10 vehicles, 129 cooking ovens, five pumping machines, 13 speedboats, six outboard engines, one vessel, three motorcycles, and 49 illegal refining sites.

“Troops recovered 514,640 liters of stolen crude oil, 339,315 liters of illegally refined AGO, and 775 liters of DPK,” he said.

In the South East, Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA apprehended 10 suspected IPOB/ESN criminals and recovered one GT3 rifle, one locally fabricated pistol, two pump action guns, two dane guns, 30 live cartridges, two motorcycles, and one cutlass, amongst other items.

“All recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action,” he added.

NAN

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