DHQ: Troops killed 58 terrorists, apprehended 161 bandits in two weeks

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops of the armed forces have eliminated 58 terrorists and apprehended 161 bandits in the last two weeks.

Musa Danmadami, director of defence media operations, announced the development on Thursday.

Danmadami said the operations took place in the north-east, north-central and north-western parts of the country.

The defence spokesperson said troops also rescued 66 persons who were abducted and recovered large cache of ammunition across the zones during the period.

He said troops of the joint task force operation Hadin Kai have continued with their “aggressive and ruthless posture against Boko Haram, Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and other criminals in the north-east”.

Danmadami further said 876 terrorists and members of their families, comprising 89 adult males, 249 adult females and 538 children surrendered to troops at different locations.

He added that the air component also conducted several operations on terrorists’ enclaves and logistics bases, and eliminated several fighters.

In the north-central zone, Danmadami said troops of operation safe haven and operation whirl stroke, killed seven bandits, apprehended 35 suspected criminals and rescued 14 kidnapped civilians.

He said 403 rustled cattle and weapons were recovered during the period.

In the north-west, the defence spokesperson said the troops of operation Hadarin Daji, also sustained land and air offensives against terrorists and bandits in Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

He said the troops killed 25 terrorists, arrested 41 suspects and rescued 36 kidnapped victims.

He added that a large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered.

Danmadami said all the recovered items, suspected criminals and rescued civilians have been handed over to appropriate authorities for further actions.