Military eliminates 106 terrorists, rescues 103 hostages in 1 week – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has said troops eliminated 106 terrorists, apprehended 164 others and rescued 103 hostages in different operations across the country in the last week.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known on Thursday in Abuja while giving an update on the operations of the military across the country.

Buba said the troops recovered 125 assorted weapons and 1,522 ammunition, comprising 41 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, 24 locally fabricated guns, 28 Dane guns and one pump action gun.

He said the troops also recovered 755 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 623 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 102 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 63 live cartridges and 247 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo.

“Others are, 22 AK47 magazines, one Baofeng radio, 22 vehicles, 31 motorcycles, two bicycles, 10 mobile phones and the sum of N2.9 amongst other items,’’ he said.

In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai recorded successes leading to the surrendering of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their families within the week.

He said a total of 1,760 BH/ISWAP terrorist fighters and family members of 117 male adults, 345 adult females and 628 children surrendered within the week.

According to him, troops neutralised 41 terrorists, arrested 27 suspects and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered a cache of arms and ammunition.

In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke, eliminated 12 insurgents, arrested 39 violent extremists and rescued 39 kidnapped hostages within the week.

He said the troops also recovered several arms and ammunition, comprising 21 AK47 rifles, 14 fabricated pistols, 15 Dane guns, 285 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, and 200 rounds of 7.62mm NATO.

In the North West, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, neutralised 22 terrorists, arrested 23 terrorists and rescued 32 kidnapped hostages and recovered a cache of arms.

Under Operation Whirl Punch, he said the troops neutralised eight terrorists, arrested 20 suspects and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered arms and the sum of N2.9 million amongst others.

In the Niger Delta, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe, had maintained momentum against the activities of crude oil thieves, destroying several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products.

He said the troops recovered 802,200 litres of stolen crude oil, 121,900 litres of illegally refined AGO and 450 litres of DPK within the week.

According to him, troops discovered and destroyed 20 dugout pits, 24 boats and 34 storage tanks, as well as recovered 56 cooking ovens, two speedboats, 14 pumping machines, 18 drums, 22 vehicles and motorcycles.

He added that a total of 36 illegal refining sites were destroyed while a total of 32 suspected oil thieves and other violent extremists were apprehended in the region.

In the South East, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised three terrorists, arrested 22 violent extremists and rescued four kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered one pump action gun, 31 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 23 cartridges, one baofeng radio, and six mobile phones amongst others.

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