Troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralized a total of forty-eight terrorists in various operations across the nation.
The director of Defense Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, who disclosed this to journalists at the Defense Headquarters in Abuja today, said at least nine hundred and seventy-four (974) terrorists and their families have also surrendered to troops within the last two weeks.
The troops also recovered N2.3 million in the North-East Zone, the military spokesman revealed.
Danmadami said troops conducted both kinetic and non-kinetic operations in the past 2 weeks in the various theaters of operations, with significant outcomes recorded.
He said troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the north-east zone of the country have sustained the offensive operation to curb the activities of Boko Haram terrorists and Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists in the Joint Area of Operations within the zone.
According to him, precisely on March 23, 2023, troops conducted offensive operations in villages in Bama, Askira Uba, and Mafa Local Government Areas of Borno State, adding that during these operations, troops made contact with terrorists and that, following the firefight, troops neutralized 7 terrorists while others fled.
Troops recovered 1 NSTV gun, 1 NSTV barrel, 1 QJC barrel gun, 14 Dane guns, 1 pump action gun, 1 x 36 hand grenade, 27 cartridges, 81 rounds of 7.62mm special, 7 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, IED wires, 7 motorcycles, 8 bicycles, 2 Boafeng radios, 2 solar panels, and 2 grinding machines, among other items.
He also said that on March 24, troops responded to intelligence about terrorist activities around Maisamari village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Troops mobilized to the area and made contact with the terrorists.
During the encounter, troops neutralized 2 terrorists and recovered 2 PKT MGs, 188 rounds of 7.62x54mm ammunition, 1 hand grenade, 4 Ak47 magazines, pouches, a Boafeng radio, assorted drugs, and other sundry items.
Danmadami furthermore disclosed that on March 25, 2023, troops had a meeting and engagement with terrorists close to their location in Kawuri in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, adding that during the encounter, troops neutralized 2 terrorists while others fled with gunshot wounds.
“Following the incident, troops recovered 2 AK-47 rifles, 1 NSVT AA gun, 1 gun truck, 140 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 vulcanizing machine, 3 shovels, 1 mechanic tool box, and other sundry items.”
Equally, on March 27, 2023, troops intercepted a vehicle conveying passengers and food items along the Monguno–Cross Kauwa road within the Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State while trying to exit Monguno town, and it was revealed that the food items were meant for terrorists.
“Six of the passengers were identified as terrorists and logistics couriers and arrested.”
Items recovered include two cartons of spaghetti, one bag of garri, and one bag of groundnut, among other sundry items.
Troops also recovered the sum of sixty-nine thousand, one hundred and sixty naira (N69,160.00) from the suspects.
“Also, on March 28, 2023, troops on patrol arrested a suspected Boko Haram terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist logistics supplier in the Biu Local Government Area of Borno State who concealed the sum of Two Million Naira, One Hundred and Sixty-Nine Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira (N2,169,700.00) only inside a bag of grinded corn.
The suspect revealed that he was conveying the cash to his brother, who resides in the bush at Mandaragirau.
“On the same day, troops arrested a suspected terrorist informant at Cross Kauwa in Kakuwa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Also, troops on fighting patrol rescued two kidnapped civilians who were earlier abducted by Boko Haram terrorists at Kubrumbula village in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State.
“Also on March 30, 2023, troops responded to information that terrorists were imposing taxes on Kulumukuwa village in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State and made contact with the terrorists.”
Following a firefight, troops neutralized one terrorist while others fled. Troops recovered an AK-47 rifle and nine rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, among other items.
“Consequently, within the week in focus, troops recovered 14 AK-47 rifles, 2 NSVT guns, 1 NSVT gun barrel, 1 QJC barrel, 3 RPG bombs, 1 anti-riot gun, 3 pump action guns, 2 hand grenades, 3 PKT MG, 3 gun trucks, 188 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammunition, 142 rounds of 12.7 x 108mm ammunition, 110 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, 27 cartridges, 18 Dane guns, 17 AK47 magazines, and improvised explosive device wires,
“Other items recovered include 2 grinding machines, 1 vulcanizing machine, 1 mechanic tool box, tyre rims, 3 pairs of Boko Haram uniforms, a shovel, bags of assorted food stuff, cartons of spaghetti, medical supplies, solar panels, 12 motorcycles, 13 bicycles, mobile phones, a Boafeng radio, pouches, 1 vehicle, and a sum of two million, three hundred and fifty thousand, five thousand, one hundred and fifteen naira only.”
“Troops equally neutralized 21 terrorists, captured nine suspected terrorists, arrested 11 suspected terrorist logistic suppliers or collaborators, apprehended two terrorists, and rescued 54 terrorist escapees.”
“A total of 974 terrorists, comprising 77 adult males, 364 adult females, and 533 children, surrendered to troops at different locations within the joint areas of operation,” he said.
Danmadami revealed that all recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
Equally, the rescued terrorist escapees and members of their families were profiled and given medical attention, while the surrendered terrorists and members of their families were also profiled for further action.
He noted that, in a related development, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted several air interdiction operations against terrorist enclaves and logistics in order to degrade and curb the spate of insecurity within the theater of operations.
He said, “Notably, between March 23 and March 29, 2023, several air interdiction operations were conducted at identified terrorist enclaves, camps, hideouts, and forests within the joint area of operations.”
“In these operations, terrorists were seen taking cover and hiding under structures.”
“Consequently, the locations were bombarded, and feedback revealed that several terrorists suffered severe casualties while their structures and logistics were equally destroyed in the air strikes.”
Danmadami conveyed the military high command’s commendations on the unrelenting efforts of troops and other security agencies in the various theaters of operations across the country.
He said the media community was also acknowledged for their partnership and continued cooperation with the military and other security agencies in their quest to restore peace and security to our dear country.
“Also, the entire populace is hereby appreciated for the support given to the members of the 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.
Reacting to the report by the Department of State on plans for an interim government, the defense headquarters said it will never support such moves because they are unconstitutional.
