The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) reported that in the past week, troops have killed 106 terrorists, apprehended 164 others, and rescued 103 hostages in various operations across the country.
On Thursday in Abuja, Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, provided an update on the military’s activities.
Buba stated that the troops seized 125 different weapons and 1,522 rounds of ammunition. The recovered arsenal includes 41 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, 24 locally made guns, 28 Dane guns, and one pump-action gun.
He also detailed that the troops confiscated 755 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 623 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 102 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 63 live cartridges, and 247 empty cases of 7.62mm ammunition.
“Others are 22 AK47 magazines, one Baofeng radio, 22 vehicles, 31 motorcycles, two bicycles, 10 mobile phones, and the sum of N2.9 million, amongst other items,’’ he said.
In the North East, Buba reported that Operation Hadin Kai troops achieved notable successes, leading to the surrender of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their families over the past week.
A total of 1,760 individuals, including 117 adult males, 345 adult females, and 628 children, gave themselves up.
Additionally, the troops neutralized 41 terrorists, apprehended 27 suspects, rescued 16 kidnapped victims, and seized a significant cache of arms and ammunition.
In the North Central region, Buba stated that Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke eliminated 12 insurgents, detained 39 violent extremists, and rescued 39 kidnapped individuals over the same period.
The operations also resulted in the recovery of various weapons, including 21 AK-47 rifles, 14 homemade pistols, 15 Dane guns, 285 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and 200 rounds of 7.62mm NATO.
In the North West, Buba reported that troops from Operation Hadarin Daji eliminated 22 terrorists, arrested 23, rescued 32 kidnapped hostages, and seized a cache of weapons.
Under Operation Whirl Punch, the troops neutralized eight terrorists, arrested 20 suspects, rescued 12 kidnapped hostages, and recovered arms along with ₦2.9 million.
In the Niger Delta, Buba noted that Operation Delta Safe continued its efforts against crude oil theft, dismantling several illegal refining sites and recovering stolen products.
The troops seized 802,200 litres of stolen crude oil, 121,900 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 450 litres of DPK during the week.
They also discovered and destroyed 20 dugout pits, 24 boats, 34 storage tanks, 56 cooking ovens, two speedboats, 14 pumping machines, 18 drums, and 22 vehicles and motorcycles. A total of 36 illegal refining sites were destroyed, and 32 suspected oil thieves and other violent extremists were apprehended.
In the South East, the defence spokesman reported that Operation UDO KA neutralized 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, among others.
“All recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action,’’ he said.