Insecurity: Army rescue 1,241 hostages in Q1 2024 — Report
A report released by the Nigerian Army has revealed that the security arm rescued 1,241 kidnapped hostages in the first quarter of the year 2024.
This was disclosed on Thursday by the Director of Defence Media, Major General Edward Buba, while giving a report on quarterly review of Joint Task Force operational activities from January – March 2024.
The Army spokesman also noted that the Army succeeded in neutralizing 2,351 terrorists, arrested 2,308 persons, and
Buba noted that the military also recovered 2,847 weapons and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N20,331,713,910.00 only.
He expressed readiness of the armed forces to secure the country, even as he named certain terrorist commanders killed during the ongoing operation.
“The Armed Forces are fighting a vicious enemy in the ongoing operations across the country. Nevertheless, the military is ready, prepared, equipped and focused on what to do with these terrorists and their cohorts.
“Surely, we have been collecting intelligence, hunting them and striking them where they may be hiding and hibernating. Our aim is to kill these terrorists and the infrastructure that supports them.
“Accordingly, we have employed significant firepower to neutralize several terrorists and disrupt their activities.
“Indeed, significant terrorist commanders killed include and are not limited to the following: Abu Bilal Minuki (aka Abubakar Mainok) – Head of Is-Al Furqan Province (ISGS and ISWAP) and Haruna Isiya Boderi.
“He was a notorious terrorist who operated along Birnin Gwari Forest in Kaduna State as well as the Abuja Kaduna Highway. He was killed by troops on 21 Feb 24.4. Others are: Kachallah Damina (Neutralised on Mar 24, by troops. He was neutralised alongside over 50 combatants), Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi (Namaidaro), Kachallah Kabiru (Doka), Kachallah Azarailu (Farin-Ruwa), Kachallah Balejo, Kachallah Ubangida, Alhaji Baldu among several others,” he said.
He narrated that the feat was achieved through “synchronised strikes between the ground and air forces on terrorist enclaves. For instance, immediately upon acquisition of vital targets, fighter jets are scrambled to carry out major bombarding raids on significant terrorist enclaves.”
Speaking further, Buba stated that the military is raising the bar in the prosecution of the war and assured the citizens of an improved service delivery.
“Troops equally conducted ambushes, raids, fighting patrols and offensive against the terrorist. The attacks and offensive actions by troops during the period Jan – Mar 2024 resulted in 2,351 terrorists neutralised , 2,308 persons arrested and 1,241 kidnapped hostages rescued.”
“Furthermore, troops recovered 2,847 weapons, 58,492 ammunition and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N20 bn (N20,331,713,910.00) only.
“Breakdown for the period includes and is not limited to the following: 1,497 AK47 rifles, 33,878 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 12,698 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 948 assorted arms and 5,520 assorted ammo.
“Others are 21,573,310 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,723,430 litres of illegally refined AGO, 53,300 litres of DPK and 52,730 litres of PMS amongst other items.
“The foregoing demonstrates that ongoing operations are effective and result oriented. Accordingly, the military is raising the bar in the prosecution of the war. Consequently, citizens will continue to witness the incremental effectiveness and efficiency of the armed forces,” Buba assured.
