The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday said troops killed at least 35 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and suspected IPOB members between May 19 to June 2, 2022 during counterinsurgency operations in six geo-political zones in the country.
It noted that within the period under review, troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies, conducted various land, maritime and air operations, which yielded successes in the various theatres across the country.
Troops also rescued 100 terrorists’ family members, which included 33 women.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. General Benard Onyeuko, made the disclosure at an operational briefing held at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja.
Gen. Onyeuko said, within the weeks under review troops of Operation Hadin Kai in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force conducted robust, aggressive patrol, ambushes and clearance operation in North East which led the terrorists fled in disarray due to the superior fire power of own troops abandoning their properties and family members.
He said, cumulatively, troops recovered 10 AK 47 rifles, 5 AK 56 rifles, 2 FN rifles, 227 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 7 AK 47 magazines, 1 PKM gun. 1 AA gun, 164 rounds of AA ammunition, 111 Shilka ammunition, 1 gun truck, 1 shilka barrel, 2 dane guns, 2 Improvised Explosive Device, 1 car engine, 4 trollies and one water pump machine.
“Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted non-kinetic operation in North West, trained and graduated 122 local vigilantes to assist the security agencies to ensure security of hinterland communities in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, charged them to be good ambassadors of their communities and discharge their duties effectively devoid of sentiment; he stressed the need to imbibe the tenets of equality, fairness and neutrality in discharging their duties.
“The Force Commander also held peace meetings at the Headquarters of Operation SAFE HAVEN with Bemood Fulani Stakeholders in order to sustain peace in the area. The meeting was centered on the killing and rustling of cattles at Kuru area in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, he urged the herders to be patient as efforts are ongoing to recover the rustled cows.
“Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji mobilized and laid in wait at bandit crossing point, gun battle ensued between the bandits and own troops, bandits fled in disarray due to superior fire power following the attack troops recovered 292 cattle and 1 camel.
Troops also rescued 152 civilians, neutralized 18 bandits and apprehended 25 bandits. Accordingly, all arrested, rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
“Troops arrested a notorious foreigner, Jabe Buba a terrorist informant at Garuwa village in Tambuwa Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Pictures and video of him posting rifles in the forest were found in phone and cash of One Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira (N130,000.00) was recovered from him.
“The troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE conducted several operations in a gun battle, the leader of the group one Mr Odada and 2 others the kidnappers who were all dressed in military uniform were neutralized.
The victim one Mr Chimaobi Omemma a businessman was rescued, items recovered include 1 AK 47 rifle, 3 fully loaded magazines (90 rounds of 7.62mm special), 1 Toyota Corolla vehicle and an ATM card bearing Felix Terzenqwe. The arrested criminal is presently under interrogations.
“Also, a notorious gun runner Mr Morris Ayitu was arrested after a raid at his residence in Abirisi in Guma Local Government Area also arrested are his wife and an accomplice Mr Julius Aseni.
Troops of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP in conjunction with Operation DELTA SAFE conducted operational activities in creeks, towns and communities in Delta, Bateksa, River, and Akwa Ibom States.
“Within the period under review, troops discovered and destroyed 40 illegal refineries, 165 metal storage tanks, 72 ovens, 23 dug out pits, 5 wooden boats, Also, recovered are One Million One Hundred and Seven Thousand Four Hundred (1,107,400) litres of crude oil, Four Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand Four Hundred and Fifty (456,450) litres of AGO, Six Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty (6,250) litres of PMS, 6 trucks, 3 outbound engines, 1 AK 47 rifles, troops also apprehended 21 criminal elements.
He commend the support of the media for your professionalism in carrying out your task, objective and unbiased in your reportage. “I wish to state that National Security is a collective responsibility to every Nigerian.”,he said.