DHQ: 78 terrorists killed, 112 arrested in one week

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops of the armed forces killed 78 terrorists and arrested 112 in different operations across the country in one week. 

In a statement on Friday, Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, said the ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations across the country were yielding encouraging results.

He said the military has continued to target the leadership and chains of command of the terrorists, insurgents and extremist groups undermining the security of the country.

He said the troops also arrested 49 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 182 kidnap victims.

He added that the troops recovered 66 assorted weapons and 11,474 assorted ammunition, comprising one conqueror APC, one GPMG, one NSVT gun, one GT3 rifle, 25 AK-47 rifles, four pump action gun and two locally made AK-47 rifles.

“Items recovered also include three locally made gun, one locally made revolver gun, four locally fabricated pistols and four long dane gun, two locally made hand grenades, one bandolier,” he added.

“Others are 574 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 640 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 150 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, five rounds of 9mm ammo, 10,520 live cartridges and five vehicles, 27 mobile phones.

“Others are 12 motorcycle, three boafeng radios, one Motorolla HHR, three bicycles, one solar panel, one solar charger controller, one radio receiver and the sum of N75.9 million amongst other items.”

Buba said in the north-east, troops of operation Hadin Kai neutralised 33 terrorists, apprehended 13, rescued 132 kidnap hostages, and recovered cache of arms.

He said in the north central, troops of operation Safe Haven neutralised 20 terrorists, apprehended 34 and rescued 10 kidnap hostages.

He added that troops of operation Whirl Stroke neutralised a terrorists, arrested nine and rescued 8 kidnap hostages during the week.

In the north west, the troops of operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 20 terrorists, arrested 48, rescued 56 kidnap hostages, and recovered several weapons.

Buba said on November 11, the air component acquired and subsequently conducted air interdiction on an enclave of a terrorist leader identified as ‘Damina’ in Maru LGA of Zamfara.

“Also, troops of operation Whirl Punch neutralised four terrorists, arrested eight suspected terrorists and rescued nine kidnapped hostages as well as recovered arms and the sum of N75 million,” he said.

In the Niger Delta region, Buba said the troops of operation Delta Safe destroyed 242 dugout pits, 49 boats, 78 storage tanks, one tricycle, 21 vehicles, 104 cooking ovens, three pumping machine, seven outboard engine and 49 illegal refining sites.

He added that the troops recovered 151,850 litres of stolen crude oil, 48,630 litres of illegally refined AGO and 10,125 litres of DPK.

“The armed forces will continue to apply strong military pressure such as has been witnessed in the week,” Buba said.

“The terrorist and their cohorts would continue to suffer heavy casualities and it is in their interest to surrender as being done in the North East of the country to avoid eventual destruction.”