DHQ: 79 terrorists killed, 67 hostages rescued in one week

The defence headquarters (DHQ) says troops killed 79 terrorists and rescued 67 hostages in one week.

In a statement on Friday, Edward Buba, the director of defence media operation, said the troops also arrested 224 suspects during various operations across the country.

Buba said troops killed Abu Mosaje, a notorious terrorist commander and gunrunner in the Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau state.

He added that the troops in the north-central operational theatre also arrested Babangida Gora Usman, a wanted kidnap kingpin on the security watch list, in Sanga LGA of Kaduna state.

The DHQ spokesperson noted that troops arrested another gunrunner, Timothy Yusuf, alongside his son, Timothy Obadiah.

He said seven members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), including a notorious kidnapper and informants, were arrested in Enugu north and Ehime Mbano LGAs of Enugu and Imo states.

He said troops also prevented oil theft worth N747,070,710 in the south-south region.

“Troops discovered and destroyed 215 crude oil cooking ovens, 26 dugout pits, 29 boats, 62 storage tanks, 20 drums, and 42 illegal refining sites,” the statement reads.

“Other recovered items include one barge, one tugboat, two pumping machines, two speedboats, nine outboard engines, 21 motorcycles, 11 mobile phones, eight vehicles, and 842,685 litres of stolen crude oil.

“Troops also recovered 104 assorted weapons and 1,953 rounds of assorted ammunition, including 53 AK-47 rifles, 25 fabricated rifles, seven RPG bombs, and four IEDs.

“Overall, troops remain steadfast in their operations and are committed to ensuring the safety and security of citizens across the country.”