DHQ: Troops killed 108 terrorists, rescued 214 kidnap victims in one week

The Nigerian Army says its troops killed 108 terrorists and rescued 214 kidnap victims across the country in one week. 

In a statement on Friday, Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, said troops also arrested 204 suspected terrorists and other criminals across the country.

Buba added that 66 assorted weapons and 4,087 assorted ammunition, comprising one dushka, one MG, two GPMGs, one RPG launcher, one RPG bomb, one AK56 rifle and 37 AK47 rifles were recovered.

He added that the troops also recovered four MRAPs, two GTs, three fabricated rifles, six Dane guns, three locally made pistols, six magazines, one bandolier and two HH radios.

Other weapons recorded include 313 rounds of 7.62mm PKT, 2,362 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 699 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 201 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm and 503 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm.

“Also recovered are nine live cartridges, one belted NATO ammo, 19 vehicles, 44 motorcycles, three mobile phones and the sum of N4.9 million amongst other items,” Buba said.

The defence spokesperson said troops of Operation Hadin Kai also neutralised 47 terrorists, arrested 18 suspects, rescued 130 kidnap hostages and recovered cache of arms in the north-east.

He noted that 622 terrorists — including 90 adult males, 182 adult females, and 350 children — surrendered to troops during the operation.

Buba said several terrorists were eliminated and IEDs destroyed at newly uncovered BH/ISWAP terrorist’s hideout and IED factory in Mandara Mountains by the air component of Operation Hadin Kai, during an air interdiction on August 2.

He said troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke eliminated 13 insurgents, apprehended 57 violent extremists and rescued 36 kidnapped hostages in the north-central.

Buba explained that troops of Hadarin Daji killed 15 terrorists, arrested 22 terrorists and rescued 27 kidnapped hostages across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states.

Buba said the troops neutralised eight terrorists, arrested 22 suspects and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages in Kaduna, Niger and Kogi states. 

The defence spokesperson added that troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 1.13 million litres of stolen crude oil and 228,770 litres of illegally refined AGO, as well as 100 litres of DPK and 20,000 litres of petrol in the south-south.

He added that troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised five terrorists, arrested 12 violent extremists and rescued four kidnapped hostages in the south-east.

“All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action,” he said.