No fewer than 122 civilians, including two Chibok school girls were rescued by troops of OPERATION HADIN KAI in North East.
According to Director Defence Media Operationas, Major General Danmadami, the rescued civilians were 72 children and 49 females.
The disclosure was made during a briefing on troops activities and operational successes being recorded in the various operational theaters within the six geo-political zones of the Country.
According to him, in the past two weeks, both kinetic and non-kinetic operations were conducted in the various theatres of operations, with significant results recorded.
He said: “Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI in the North East zone of the country have sustained and continued to dominate the Joint Area of Operations. Operational activities were conducted in villages, forest, mountains, towns and cities of Gwoza, Bama, Biu, Kukawa, Monguno, Marte, Damboa, Mobbar and Konduga Local Government Areas of Borno State.
“Operational activities were also conducted in Michika and Madagali Local Government Areas of Adamawa State as well as Damaturu Local Government Area in Yobe State. Several raids, fighting patrols and ambushes operations were carried out to curb the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements within the Joint Area of Operations.
“Notably, on April 20, 2023, troops on fighting patrol to Sabil Huda in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, encountered Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists who used their families as human shield to escape.
“Troops however arrested 5 terrorists and rescued 121 civilians comprising 72 children and 49 females including 2 Chibok schoolgirls who are on serial 2 and 103 of the List. Troops recovered 1 motorcycle, 3 bicycles, 3 mobile phones, 27 new wrist watches, other items and the sum of N4,800.00 only.
“On the same day, troops conducted clearance operations to Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist enclaves within Sambisa forest in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State and made contact with terrorists.
“Following a fierce fire fight, troops neutralized a Boko Haram Terrorists Commander and 9 other terrorists. Troops recovered 1 QJC 88 AA gun, 1 QJC 88 barrel, 1 SMG, 2 AK47 rifles, 1 local made double barrel gun, 1 local made short gun, 2 dane guns, 51 rounds of 12.7mm ammo and 5 motorcycles.
“Also on April 21, 2023, troops conducted further exploitation; precisely in Ukuba in Sambisa forest within Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, where troops neutralized 2 terrorists and captured one high profile Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist Commander.
“Troops thereafter exploited the area and discovered and deactivated 4 Improvised Explosive Devices, and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 8 AK47 rifle magazines, one pump action gun, 2 yellow buckets vehicles, one damaged camel MRAP, several AK47 rifle parts, 4 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 dane gun, 46 assorted bullets and the sum of N6,700 amongst other sundry items.
“Also, between April 20 to 24, 2023, troops while on several search operation within Biu, Konduga, Bama and Mobbar Local Government Areas of Borno State apprehended 8 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists logistics suppliers/informants. Troops recovered 30 rounds of 7.62mm special, 14 packets of drugs, packs of cigarettes, torch light, assorted food items, NIN ID cards, 45,000 CFA and Fifty Naira only.
“Equally, on April 28, 2023, based on credible intelligence of Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists stockpiling arms at Ukuba within Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, troops conducted clearance operation to the terrorist enclave. During the operation, troops made contact and neutralized 10 terrorists.
“Troops exploited general area and recovered 5 Ak47 rifles, 4 dane guns, 4 QJC AA guns, 1 Gun Truck, 1 DSHKA (m) AA gun, 1 NSVT AA gun, 280 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 16 refilled rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 1 rounds of 9mm ammunition, several UXO to be used for IEDs, 6 x 122mm bombs, 3 x 120mm bombs, 3 x 105mm bombs, 2 x 155mm bombs and 1 x 105mm APF SDS bomb.”
Others include 33 snipper rifle magazines, 30 AK47 magazines, 1 SMG magazines, 4 GPMG extra barrels, 4 AK47 extra working parts, 5 NSZT top cover alongside several clothing items, several vehicle spare part and large quantity of IED making materials.
He added that between April 29 to May 3 2023, troops carried out clearance operation in villages and forest areas within Kaga, Damboa, Ngala and Gwoza Local Government Areas of Borno State and made contact with terrorists.
“Following these encounters, troops neutralized 18 terrorists, arrested 19 and rescued 10 kidnapped victims. Troops also recovered 6 AK47 rifles loaded with 13 rounds of 7.62mm special, 9 dane guns, 1 locally made double barrel gun, 1 DSHKA AA gun, 1 NSVT AA gun, 1 QJC AA gun barrel, 6 locally made IEDs, 1 GPMG, 10 AK47 magazines, 2 x 36 hand grenades, 1 x 122mm artillery bomb and 8 metal pressure plate.
“Other items include, 26 rounds of 12.7 x 108mm ammo, 77 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo, 27 rounds of 7.62mm special, 182 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammunition, 15 empty cases of 7.62mm special and 14 empty cases 155mm ammunition.
“Cumulatively, within the weeks in focus, troops recovered 16 AK47 rifles, 15 dane guns, 6 QJC 88 AA guns, 1 QJC 88 barrel, 1 SMG, 2 DSHKAA guns, 2 NSVT AA guns, 1 GMPG, 1 pump action gun, 2 local made double barrel gun, 1 local made short gun, 51 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 26 rounds of 12.7 x 108mm, 280 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 16 refilled rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 1 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 74 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 77 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo, 182 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammunition, 15 empty cases of 7.62mm special, 14 empty cases 155mm ammunition, 46 assorted bullets, 4 Improvised Explosive Devices, and 48 AK47 rifles magazines. Other items include, 1 SMG magazine, 33 snipper rifle magazines, 4 extra GPMG barrels, several UXO to be used for IEDs, 7 x 122mm bombs, 3 x 120mm bombs, 3 x 105mm bombs, 2 x 155mm bombs, 1 x 105mm APF SDS bomb, 2 x 36 hand grenades and 8 metal pressure plate amongst others.”
Troops also reportedly neutralized 40 terrorists, arrested 25 terrorists as well as 8 terrorist logistics suppliers, rescued 131 abducted civilians while a total of 510 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families, comprising 54 adult male, 164 adult female and 292 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre of operations. All recovered items, apprehended suspects have been handed over to the relevant authority further action.
“Equally, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted series of Armed Reconnaissance Mission at terrorist hideout, enclaves and camps in support of ground operations. Notably, between April 22 to 27, 2023, several Armed Reconnaissance operation were conducted at terrorists enclaves at villages within Konduga, Bama, Mafa, Maiduguri and Damboa Local Government Areas as well as Sambisa Forest all in Borno State.
“Overhead these locations, which were observed to be active with terrorist scrambling for cover under the vegetation. Consequently, these locations were engaged with bombs and rockets and the battle damage assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized with their logistics and structures destroyed in the strikes.” He added.
He conveyed the military high command commendations on the unrelenting efforts of troops and other security agencies in the various theatres of operations across the country.
“Also, the entire populace is hereby appreciated, for the support given to the members Armed Forces and other security agencies in the conduct of our various operations across the country, while also urging them to continue to provide prompt and creditable information on the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements, in their respective areas.” He said.