The Defence Headquarters has announced that 62 bandits in the Northwest and North Central geo-political zones were killed by troops in the last two weeks.
Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier-Geneneral Bernard Onyeuko who gave an update on military operations between November 25 and December 9, said 192 terrorists, including children, also surrendered in the two regions within the period.
The 192 people who surrendered were mostly relatives of the terrorists and they include 51 adult males, 67 adult females and 74 children.
Onyeuko revealed that Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa, Rann/Rumirgo villages and Biu, Bama, Mafa and Dikwa Local Government Areas of Borno were where some of the terrorists surrendered to troops.
Those who surrendered were properly profiled and handed to appropriate authorities for necessary actions.
28 terrorists were also arrested, while 54 assorted arms and 144 rounds of different calibre of ammunitions were recovered.
Onyeuko said;
“A total of 101 rustled livestock were recovered and 20 kidnapped Nigeria Police Force personnel, who were abducted when terrorists attacked the Police Division at Buni Yadi, were rescued by the troops.
“Additionally, troops’ kinetic and non-kinetic operations have continued to drive the terrorists out of their camps into surrendering.”
Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji also repelled BHT/ISWAP terrorists’ attack in a fierce gun battle in Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno on Dec 3. During the encounter, troops subdued the terrorists with superior firepower and neutralised no fewer than 26 of them.
Onyeuko also disclosed that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke recovered arms and ammunition and rescued kidnapped civilians.
He added;
“Operations were conducted at Atinyogo, Gbise and Gbor towns in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area and at Tyotsar Mbacher village in Shitile, Ukum Local Government Area and Igumale community in Ado Local Government Area of Benue.
“Other locations where operations held were Kayio village in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba, Kutara and Ruga Ahmadu Rufai community in Abaji Area Council of the FCT.
“Cumulatively, a total of five criminals were neutralised and 19 others arrested, while 15 different arms and 62 different calibres of ammunition were recovered. Three kidnapped civilians were also rescued in the period under review.
“Troops also held peace and security meeting with critical stakeholders as non-kinetic means of tackling insecurity.
“One of these meetings was held at the Force Headquarters of Operation Whirl Stroke in Makurdi and issues discussed at the meeting centered on how to find lasting solutions to insecurity.”
The Defence Spokesperson regretted that some gallant officers and soldiers paid the supreme prize during engagements within the period under review.
