Troops kill 151 terrorists, arrest 456, recover N3.18m

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Armed Forces of Nigeria, in the last two weeks, neutralised a total of 151 terrorists and apprehended 456 others in different operations across the country.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, stated this while giving update of military operations across the country in Abuja on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 44 terrorists, arrested 21, and rescued four kidnapped hostages during the period.

He said the troops recovered 17 AK47 rifles, three locally fabricated rifles, three locally made guns, one berretta pistol, three Dane guns, and 116 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.

Also recovered, according to him, were five rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 13 rounds of 9mm ammo, 20 rounds of 7.62 mm x 54 ammo, 42 empty, and cases of 7.62 mm x 54 ammo.

Others included 12 magazines, 50 jerry cans of PMS, three vehicles, five mobile phone, six motorcycles, three cutlasses, and the sum of N3.18 million.

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Buba said the troops arrested some suspected terrorists’ collaborators in Jere and Biu in Borno State as well as Gujba Local Government Area in Yobe State.

He stated that troops also ambushed and raided suspected terrorists’ hideouts in Konduga and Gwoza Local Government Areas of Borno State.

The defence spokesman said the offensive resulted in elimination of terrorists and recovery of arms and ammunition.

In North Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised 16 terrorists, arrested 16, and rescued one kidnapped hostage within the period.

He disclosed that they also recovered 12 AK47 rifles, two pistols, five locally fabricated rifles, six dane guns, 32 rounds of 7.62mm special, 15 magazines, and three motorcycles.

Under Operation Whirl Stroke, he said, the troops neutralised 15 terrorists, arrested six, rescued one kidnapped hostage, and recovered arms and ammunition.

In North West, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch neutralised 35 terrorists, arrested eight, and rescued 17 kidnapped hostages within the period.

Buba added that the air components of the various operations have since been annihilating terrorists from their various hideouts with series of air interactions.

The Star