According to the Defence Headquarters, in the last week alone, its troops on fighting patrol killed 86 terrorists and other criminals, captured 101 others in various nationwide operations, and freed 21 kidnapped individuals.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defense Media Operations, made these remarks on Thursday in Abuja during a military operations briefing.
He said that throughout the past week, the military had concentrated on using airstrikes to target terrorist strongholds and had also demonstrated a marked increase in power in places where the terrorists were hibernating.
According to Buba, the soldiers also found 1,124 different types of ammunition and 111 different types of firearms, including 15 Dane guns, one HK G3 gun, one G3 rifle, eight locally made guns, and 65 AK-47 rifles.
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“A total of 111 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their families—four adult males, 38 adult females, and 69 children—surrendered to troops within the theater operations between January 3 and January 9,” he stated.
According to Buba, during the course of the week, the forces of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch eliminated 69 terrorists, detained 25, and freed 63 hostages in the North West.
He continued by saying that the air component carried out air interdiction on the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara, home to infamous terrorist Kingpin Ado Aliero. He said that the terrorists were under the command of Isuhu Dogo, a brother and accomplice of the infamous Aliero.
“Even in the new year 2024, the aim of our ongoing operations remains unchanged and clear,” stated Buba. To guarantee the terrorists’ ultimate defeat, we seek out and eliminate them wherever they might be hiding. By doing this, the terrorist would be unable to harm or intimidate people throughout the nation.
“Our operations suggest that we are pursuing the senior leadership and terrorist commanders.” We will stop at nothing until they are dead or surrender; in fact, everyone on their leadership chain, from the highest commanders to the lowest, are dead men walking.
101 terrorists were apprehended as a result of our actions, while 86 terrorists were neutralized. Additionally, troops freed 21 hostages who had been kidnapped and apprehended 30 oil thieves. Troops in the SS denied stealing oil worth an estimated N736,115,470.00.
“The site was acquired and assaulted with bombs and rockets following a confirmatory ISR. Responses showed that a number of terrorists had been destroyed along with their infrastructure.
“Many terrorists were killed and several buildings were destroyed during another air interdiction at terrorist leader Hamisu Mopol’s enclave in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State,” he continued.
According to a defense official, Operation Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke forces in the North Central region apprehended 21 violent extremists and freed 27 hostages.