The Defence Headquarters on Thursday said troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have killed no fewer than 31 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and arrested 70 of them and their co-conspirators.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-General Musa Danmadami said in Abuja at the bi-weekly briefing on the operations of the armed forces that the breakthrough was recorded in the last two weeks.
He added that out of the 70 arrested in the North-East, 60 of them were terrorists’ logistics suppliers conveying grains, ammunition, and fuel among others.
The DMO director said the troops also rescued two civilian hostages while a total of 366 terrorists and their families surrendered during the period.
He said that troops had on October 11, outmanoeuvred terrorists’ ambush in Bama and Ngala areas of Borno leading to the killing of 18 terrorists and recovery of a cache of arms. According to him, troops countered the terrorists and forced them to flee in disarray.
He said that 17 terrorists were neutralised while one GPMG, five AK-47 riffles, one M21 rifle and 11 motorcycles were recovered.
According to him, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI theatre of operation in the North East Zone of the Country have continued to sustained and dominate their Area of Responsibilities as various operational activities were conducted in villages and towns in Bama, Gwoza, Gubio, Kaga, Kukawa, Ngala, Molai Local Government Areas all in Borno State. Operational activities were also conducted at villages and towns in Bade and Gujuba Local Government Areas of Yobe State.
“Notably, on October 11, 2022 Boko Haram /Islamic State of West African Province terrorists ambushed troops with Improvised Explosive Device (IED) covered by fire at Gala Kura village in Bama Local Government Area following the fire fight, troops neutralized 1 Boko Haram Terrorist and recovered 2 AK47 rifles. On the same day, troops on picketing duty along Gamboru – Dikwa road in Ngala Local Government Area were ambushed by Boko Haram/Islamic State of West African Province terrorists.
“The terrorists detonated 20 IEDs covered with fire. Troops countered the ambush and forced the terrorists to flee in disarray. Following the fire fight, troops neutralized 17 terrorist and recovered 1 GPMG, 5 AK47 rifles, 1 M21 rifle and 11 motorcycles.
“Equally, on October 7, 2022 following credible information, troops intercepted a vehicle at Bulagoni village, in Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State with 96 blocks of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa. Furthermore, between 6 and 19 October 2022, 60 suspected logistics suppliers of the Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province were arrested by troops at different locations within the North East theatre of operation.
“ Items recovered from the suspects ranges from bags of beans, maize, rice, gallons of Premium Motor Spirit, rustled livestock, medical supplies, clothing, sewing machines among others items. Cumulatively, within the weeks in focus troops recovered 14 AK47 rifles, 2 GPMG, 1 M21 rifle, one 125mm artillery bomb, 40 rounds of 7.62mm special, 6 dane guns, 1 locally made gun, 1 vehicle, 4 mobile phones, 5 bicycles, 11 motorcycles, 64 bags of beans, 5 bags of maize, large quantities of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, medical supplies, assorted clothing materials, 46 livestock, the sum of N250,000.00 Naira and other sundry items.
“Similarly, on October 13, 2022, troops in conjunction with the Nigeria Police and NIS operatives intercepted 2 suspected fake National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) officials. It was revealed that the suspects had visited Gagamari IDP camp in Niger Republic to register non-Nigerian in the IDP camp. Items recovered from the suspects include National Identification Number (NIN) registration machine, printing machine, laminating machine, a computer tracking machine and a generator set among other items.
“Consequently, during the weeks in focus, 31 suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province members were neutralized, while 10 were arrested and 2 civilians rescued. Furthermore, a total of 366 Boko Haram Terrorists and their families comprised of 23 adult males, 112 adult females and 231 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre.
“All recovered items, arrested terrorists, logistics suppliers and rescued civilians have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action while the surrendered Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and their families are being profiled for further action.”