No fewer than 13,243 terrorists, their families and collaborators have surrendered to troops while over 74 of them have been killed in various spots of the Northeast theatre of operations following aggressive military shelling by troops.
Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko stated this today while briefing newsmen on the operational breakthroughs of the military in the last two weeks.
General Onyeuko noted that the operational activities of troops across the country in the weeks under review yielded results, while several necessary efforts are being put in place as proactive measures to ensure impending security threats are fore stalled across the country.
According to him, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained aggressive posture with vigour in the North East, which yielded significant results. The series of land and air operations conducted in different locations across the North East theatre have reduced the operational capabilities of the insurgents. Within the period, several terrorist elements were neutralized and several others arrested alongside their informants and logistics suppliers. “Consequently, more terrorists have continued to lay down their arms and surrender to own troops with their families as they could no longer withstand the offensive operations within the theatre. Some of these feats were recorded at; Gwoza – Yamtake – Bita road; Gwoza – Farm Centre – Yamtake road; Mandara Mountain area as well as Pulka and Hambagda towns; all in Borno State. Cumulatively, within the period a total of 29 terrorists were neutralized and 13 terrorists including their informants/collaborators and logistics suppliers were arrested in the course of the operations.
“Additionally, a total of 38 assorted weapons and 968 rounds of assorted ammunition as well as 48 rustled livestock among several other items were recovered. So far, a total of 13,243 terrorists and their families comprising 3,243 adult males, 3,868 adult females and 6,234 children, have surrendered to own troops at different locations in the North East.
“Furthermore, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI carried out air interdiction missions to foil BHT/ISWAP criminal elements’ attack on ground troops’ location at Aulari village in Bama LGA of Borno State. During the encounter, 3 of the terrorists’ gun trucks were destroyed together with their occupants and another was immobilized, while several other terrorists flee in disarray with varying degrees of wounds.”
General Onyeuko noted that troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI within the period in focus, dominated the operations theatre with aggressive fighting patrols and other kinetic operations with the support of intensive air operations executed by the Air Component.
“Some of these operations resulted in the rescue of kidnapped civilians, neutralization of armed bandits, recovery of arms and ammunition as well as arrest of some criminal elements within the period. Significantly, some of these successes were recorded at Jibia – Katsina Road, where some civilians were rescued.”