DHQ: 29 civilians rescued, 51 insurgents arrested — in two weeks

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says 27 insurgents were killed, while no fewer than 51 others were arrested in the last two weeks.

Bernard Onyeuko, acting director of defence information, disclosed this on Thursday, while giving updates on the operations of the military across the country.

According to him, over 1,000 insurgents, including two bomb experts and their family members, have also surrendered to troops of operation Hadin Kai in the north-east.

While adding that 29 abducted victims were rescued, Onyeuko said the intensity of operations by the military has yielded tremendous results across the north-east and north-west.

“Cumulatively, the operations led to the neutralisation of 27 BHT/ISWAP fighters, arrest of 51 BHT/ISWAP terrorists, three terrorists’ collaborators, as well as recovery of 35 assorted arms. 1,051 round of ammunition, including AK-47 and FN rifles, Dushka anti-aircraft guns, GPMG, PKT guns, 60mm mortar tubes, Makarov pistol and other machine guns, amongst other items were also recovered,” he said.

“In addition, 29 abducted civilians were rescued within the period under review. No fewer than 1,000 terrorists and their families, comprising adult females and children surrendered to own troops at different locations in the north-east.

“Notable among them are the notorious BHT bomb expert named Musa Adamu, a.k.a. Mala Musa Abuja, and his deputy, Usman Adamu, a.k.a. Abu Darda. This has in no small measure depleted the Boko Haram fighting force.”

For the north-west, Onyeuko said the troops of operation Hadarin Daji, on July 31, repelled bandits, rescued some kidnapped victims, and recovered arms, ammunition and some livestock.

He said that a total of 89 animals, five AK-47 rifles, three rounds of 9mm ball, and 48 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition were recovered, while four kidnap victims were rescued.

He added that two “notorious cattle rustlers named Umar from Niger Republic and Mai Hatsi Ibrahim from Gada in Sokoto state”, and four other suspected bandits and drug peddlers were apprehended.

According to him, the air component destroyed bandits’ structures, including the residence of one of their alleged leaders, identified as Halilu Tubali.

The DHQ spokesman added that the air strikes, in conjunction with operations by ground troops, resulted in the death of “no fewer than 123 armed bandits and destruction of their logistics facilities”.