Army: Over 9000 Boko Haram fighters killed, 6,998 arrested in one year

The Nigerian Army says about 9,303 Boko Haram fighters have been killed and 6,998 arrested in the last one year.

Speaking during a joint briefing by security, defence and response agencies, Edward Buba, director of defence media operation, said 9,562 Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters and their families surrendered to security forces within the period.

The press briefing was organised by the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee under the office of the national security adviser (ONSA) on Thursday, in Abuja.

Buba said the troops also rescued 4,641 hostages, while 1,437 suspected oil thieves were apprehended within the period under review.

He said troops killed 363 criminals and rescued 245 kidnap hostages in the Niger Delta region within the period.

Buba said the the police force also apprehended 4,796 armed robbery suspects, 3,068 kidnap suspects and 2,474 suspects for rape/sexual crimes.

He added that 1,213 suspects were apprehended for unlawful possession of firearms while 3,523 suspected cultists, 3,381 suspects for murder/homicide, and 13,382 suspects were arrested for other offences.

Buba said the police rescued 1,713 kidnap victims and recovered 1,465 vehicles and motorcycles, 2,566 firearms and 19,310 rounds of ammunition.

He added that the police prosecuted 29,052 cases within the year and secured the conviction of 16,200 suspects.

“7,675 cases conclusively dispensed, 11,376 suspects are currently undergoing trial, 51 cases are under appeal in appellate courts, and 16,200 cases resulted in the conviction of suspects who have received various punishments for their criminal acts,” Buba said.

He added that the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) foiled 48 kidnap attempts on schools and dismantled over 1,975 illegal mining sites across the country.

He said 165 illegal local refineries were uncovered and dismantled within the period under review.

“Relatedly, the Nigeria Customs Service generated exceptional revenue of about N4 trillion,” he said.

“National security and anti-smuggling efforts led to significant seizures of contraband goods, illegal arms, and narcotics.

“The agencies recovered over 21,000 pump action cartridges, 440 pump action rifles, and 228,741 rounds of ammunition and, prevented potential attacks by recovering suicide jackets and lethal weapons.

“Criminal activities involving illicit petroleum products were disrupted, with 50,000 illicit liters impounded.”