130 civilians rescued as troops kill 36 terrorists in Borno

Troops of operation Hadin Kai have rescued 130 civilians and killed 36 terrorists in Borno state.

Musa Danmadami, director defence media operations in a briefing on Thursday, said the development was recorded within two weeks.

According to him, the military has sustained aggressive operations to deny terrorists further freedom of action in the state.

“In furtherance to this, troops conducted fighting patrols, ambushes and clearance operations at communities, villages and towns in Kukawa, Monguno, Kaga, Dikwa, Biu, Damboa, Gwoza, Mafa, Konguda, Bama and Guzamala Local Government Areas all in Borno State,” he said.

“Of significance was the neutralisation of 2 key Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province commander on the 12th and 15th September 2022 identified as Abu Asiya and Abu Ubaida (A Qaid) at Parisu and Sheruri general area in Sambisa forest respectively.

“Consequently, within the period in review, troops neutralised 36 terrorists, rescued 130 civilians and arrested 46 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists as well as 12 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province logistic suppliers.

“Furthermore, 21 AK47 rifles, 163 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2 RPG bombs, 25 dane guns, 4 unexplosive ordinance store, 2 bandoliers, 10 solar panels, 23 bicycles, 10 motorcycles, 1 tricycle, 19 cell phones, 28 torch lights, bags of assorted grains, 122 rustled sheep, and the sum of N203,125.00 were recovered among other items. Equally, a total of 368 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province criminals and their families comprises of 53 adult males, 116 adult females and 214 children surrendered to own troops at different locations in the theatre.

“All recovered items, rescued civilians and apprehended suspected terrorists were handed over to the relevant authority for further action while surrendered Boko Haram Terrorists and their families are being profiled for further action.”

He said in a related development, the air component of operation Hadin Kai on September 9, 2022 while acting on credible intelligence conducted air interdiction operation at Somalia in Sambisa forest and bombarded a terrorist critical facility.

The air strike, he said, inflicted casualty on the terrorists as feedback revealed that several of the terrorists were killed while several structures were destroyed.

He added that similar operation was carried out on terrorists’ enclaves at Abdallari, Mafa, Zanari and Tumbun Baba between September 10 and 14, 2022.