DHQ: Troops killed 147 terrorists, rescued 113 abducted persons in one week

The Nigerian says troops killed 147 terrorists during operations in various parts of the country in one week.

In a statement on Thursday, Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, said troops arrested 381 suspects and rescued 113 kidnapped victims.

He said 41 Boko haram terrorists and members of the Islamic States of West African Province (ISWAP), including 28 children, surrendered to troops in Bama, Gwoza and Dikwa LGAs of Borno.

“The troops killed 11 terrorists and recovered weapons during a fighting patrol in Damboa LGA, while ten others were neutralized in Bama area on August 12,” the statement reads.

“During an ambush operation, the troops killed 13 terrorists in Gwoza, 28 in Bama and 6 others in Damaturu and Gujba LGAs of Yobe state as well as Damboa LGA of Borno.

“The troops apprehended 26 suspected terrorists collaborators, informants and kidnappers in Gujba and Geidam LGA of Yobe state as well as Bama, Biu, Damboa and Kukawa LGAs of Borno.”

Buba said the troops discovered and detonated UXO and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) in Borno and Yobe LGAs.

He said the troops raided the hideouts of suspected extremists and arrested 31 suspects including drug peddlers in Plateau state.

“Overall, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralized 10 insurgents, arrested 78 violent extremists and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages,” the statement adds.

“The troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralised 7 terrorists, arrested 23 violent extremists and rescued 7 kidnapped hostages during raids in Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba state.

“In the north-west, the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji killed 30 terrorists, apprehended 21 terrorists and rescued 44 kidnapped hostages in Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara state.

“Troops recovered 13 AK47 rifles, one fabricated rifle, 5 dane guns, 288 rounds of RG55 ammo, 40 rounds of CJ95 ammo, 256 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 101 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 6 live cartridges, 3 magazines, one baofeng radio, 11 motorcycles and 3 mobile phones only amongst others.

“The troops of Operation Whirl Punch recorded the following during the week under review; arrested suspected violent extremists/gunrunner in Lere and Karu LGAs of Kaduna and Nasarawa States as well as Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT Abuja.”

He said the troops also recovered one AK47 Rifle, one magazine, 1,641 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 49 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo.

“On 8 and 12 August 2024, following reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 152 suspected violent extremists including foreign nationals from Niger and Cameroon in Karu LGA of Nasarawa state and Gwagwalada area council of FCT Abuja respectively,” the statement adds.

In the south-south, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 920,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 88,760 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 7,500 litres of petrol.

He added that troops discovered and destroyed 15 dugout pits, 17 boats, 62 drums, one receiver, and 27 storage tanks as well as 84 illegal refining sites.

“Troops neutralised one terrorist and apprehended 23 suspected oil thieves and other violent extremists and also recovered nine assorted weapons, 10 magazines, and 63 assorted ammunitions,’’ he said.

In the south-east, Buba said the troops of Operation Udoka killed nine terrorists, arrested eight violent extremists and rescued six kidnapped hostages.

In the south-west, Buba said the troops of Operation Awatse arrested five violent extremists and recovered four AK47 rifles, one locally fabricated pistol, and 110 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, amongst others.

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