Troops of “Operation Hadin Kai’’ apprehended at least 79 terrorists and their collaborators in the Northeast in the last two weeks.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, made the disclosure in Abuja on Thursday at the bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces.
Danmadami said troops also eliminated many terrorists in land and air operations and rescued of 14 abductees including two Chibok school girls during the period.
He said the two Chibok girls, Yana Pogu and Rejoice Senki were rescued with their children.
They were rescued at Bula Davo village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno and at Kawur village in Konduga Local Government Area also in Borno alongside 12 other abductees.
Danmadami also told newsmen that troops arrested 29 Boko Haram terrorists and Islamic State of West Africa Province logistics suppliers in different locations within the period.
Items recovered from them included 50 big bags of dry fish, two big sacks of fried meat, 55 jerry cans of petrol, N2.4 million and other sundry items, he said.
He added that troops also apprehended a suspected ammunition technician at Gorom village in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno.
He had with him 300 empty cases of ammunitions suspected to be used for fabricating 7.62mm special ammunition
Danmadami said also that six suspected terrorists’ informants and collaborators including a foreigner were arrested at different locations.
“Troops recovered six AK47 rifles, 14 AK47 magazines, one HK gun, one G3 rifle, 112 rounds of 7.62mm special, 285 rustled cattle and eight gallons of petrol within the period in focus.
“Troops also neutralised 19 terrorists, arrested 42 suspected terrorists’ logistics suppliers and rescued three civilians.
“A total of 418 terrorists, including their families, who claimed to have lost interest in the ideology of Boko Haram, surrendered to the military.
“They comprise 44 adult males, 135 adult females and 239 children.
“All recovered items, and arrested Boko Haram terrorists were handed over to the appropriate authority for further action while surrendered terrorists and their families are being profiled for further action,’’ Danmadami said.
He said also that between September 23 and September 28, the air component of OPHK carried out air interdiction operations at identified terrorists enclaves at Kolaram and Bukar Meram both in the Southern Lake Chad region of Borno.
He said the air strikes resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists and their structures destroyed.
The defence spokesman said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in the North West also neutralised five terrorists, arrested seven others and rescued eight civilians in the last two weeks.
He said troops also conducted precision bombing on identified notorious terrorists’ leaders in Gwaska Dankaramis camp at Mashekari area in Zurmi Local Government Area and Sani Dangote Camp in Farara village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Danmadami said the airstrikes killed a suspected terrorists’ leader identified as Dogo Rabe and seven members of his gang, while others fled in disarray.
He also disclosed that troops of Guards Brigade, Nigerian Army, on October 1, apprehended 64 suspects who attempted to disrupt the Independence Day Celebration in Abuja.
Danmadami said the troops raided Karshi hill and surrounding villages in the Federal Capital Territory following intelligence on plans by the hoodlums to disrupt the Independence anniversary celebration.
He said the 64 suspects were youths that were dressed in black attire and armed with nine locally made guns.
Danmadami said the troops also raided an identified illegal drug peddlers hideout along Koroduma-Asokoro Guzape in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the territory on September 25 and arrested five suspected drug peddlers.
He said the suspects were apprehended with 11 bags of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa.
“In another development, 33 suspected illegal miners were arrested at an illegal mining site at Gwagwalada Area Council.
“All apprehended criminals were handed over to the Nigeria Police, FCT Command for further action,” he said.
On the release of the remaining 23 Abuja-Kaduna train victims, Danmadami said the release was secured through non-kinetic means executed by the presidential committee.
He said the details of the release would be made public in due course.
In other parts of the North Central, Danmadami said the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke had on September 30 neutralised two terrorists in an encounter at Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue.
He said that some of the terrorists escaped with gunshot wounds.
According to him, troops also responded to a distress call about the activities of a bandit leader identified as ‘full fire’ and his gang members at Zaki Biam and Zamkara in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue.
“During the operation, troops arrested two suspected bandits and recovered one locally fabricated AK47 rifle, one Dane gun and two mobile phones.
“Troops also arrested one suspected bandit in his hideout, while a motorcycle and one round of 7.62mm special was recovered from the suspect.
“Equally, troops raided suspected terrorists hideout in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, during the encounter, troops neutralised two terrorists while four others were arrested,” he said.
Defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Safe Haven had between September 25 and October 2 apprehended 15 suspected kidnappers and bandits and rescued eight victims in different operations in Plateau. (NAN)
