DHQ: Nigerian military kills 52 terrorists, apprehends 60
The Defence Headquarters has said that Nigerian armed forces units eliminated 52 terrorists, detained 60, and recovered 61 kidnapped captives in various operations between September 15 and September 22.
Edward Buba, the director of Defence Media Operations, announced this in an Abuja statement on Friday.
Mr Buba, a Major-General, stated that seven terrorists, five adult males and two adult females, surrendered to forces during the review period.
He said the troops recovered a total number of 77 weapons and 658 different types of ammunition.
“The breakdown is as follows: 53 AK47 rifles, two AK47 rifles loaded with 8 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 18 locally fabricated rifles, one beretta pistol, and three pump action guns.
“650 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 50 AK47 magazines, two rounds of 9mm ammo, six rounds of 7.62 NATO, and five fragmentation jackets.
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“Furthermore, troops recovered 15 vehicles, 12 motorcycles, 12 Bicycles, five mobile phones, 12 cutlasses, two generator sets, two gas cylinders, 133 livestock, and a sum of N602,000 and Airtel airtime worth N8,000,” he said.
Mr Buba stated that the troops of Operation Delta Safe denied oil thieves an estimated N946.38 million in the South-South zone.
According to him, the military recovered 496,250 litres of stolen crude oil, 83,400 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,200 litres of PMS, four pumping equipment, five-speed boats, 34 dugout pits, 57 storage tanks, 16 wooden boats, 85 ovens, and three outboard engines.
He said that the mission of the military against terrorists and other violent extremist groups in the country remains unchanged.
“The military will continue with aggressive operations to force these groups to submission,” he added.
The defense spokesman said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai were engaged in ambushes, raids, rescue operations, fighting patrols, attacks as well as cordon and search activities in the North East theatre.
He added that troops of Operations Hadarun Daji, Safe Haven, Whirl Punch, and Whirl Stroke had also sustained aggressive postures against bandits and other criminals in North West and North Central.
According to him, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke conducted 22 operations, 13 fighting patrols, six confidence-building patrols, and one raid operation within the period under review.
He said that the areas covered included Mbaayande, Mbamazu, and Mbaagudu villages of Konshiga Local Government Area of Benue.
“Troops of Joint Task Force Operations UDO KA and Operation Search and Flush in the South East region sustained momentum in the fight against insecurity in the region.
“Troops apprehended five suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists in Ikwo and Ihiala Local Government Areas of Ebonyi and Anambra, respectively.
“The military will through its operations continue to make improvements towards ensuring the safety of citizens and restoring security across the country.
“Citizens are encouraged to know something, say something, and let the military do something about it,” Mr Buba said.
