Military neutralises 151 terrorists, apprehends 456 in 2 weeks – Defence Headquarters
The Defence Headquarters says troops of the Nigerian Army eliminated a total of 151 terrorists and apprehended 456 others in different operations across the country over the last two weeks.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, stated this while giving updates on military operations across the country on Thursday in Abuja.
Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 44 terrorists, arrested 21 others and rescued four kidnapped hostages during the period.
He said the troops recovered 17 AK47 rifles, three locally fabricated rifles, three locally made guns, one berretta pistol, three dane guns and 116 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
Also recovered, according to him, are five rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 13 rounds of 9mm ammo, 20 rounds of 7.62 mm x 54 ammo and 42 empty cases of 7.62 mm x 54 ammo.
Others are 12 magazines, 50 jerry cans of PMS, three vehicles, five mobile phones, six motorcycles, three cutlasses and the sum of N3.18 million.
Buba said the troops arrested some suspected terrorists’ collaborators in Jere, Maiduguri and Biu in Borno State, as well as in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
He said that troops also ambushed and raided suspected terrorists’ hideouts in Konduga and Gwoza local government areas of Borno.
The defence spokesman said the offensive resulted in the elimination of terrorists and recovery of arms and ammunition.
In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised 16 terrorists, arrested 16 others and rescued one kidnapped hostage within the period.
He said they also recovered 12 AK47 rifles, two pistols, five locally fabricated rifles, six dane guns, 32 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 15 magazines and three motorcycles.
Under Operation Whirl Stroke, he said the troops neutralised 15 terrorists, arrested six others and rescued one kidnapped hostage, in addition to the recovery of arms and ammunition.
In the North West, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch neutralised 35 terrorists, arrested eight others and rescued 17 kidnapped hostages within the same period.
He added that the air components of the various operations had continued to dislodge the terrorists from their various hideouts with series of airstrikes. (NAN)
