The Defence Headquarters, DHQ has disclosed that its troops have eliminated 1,937 terrorists, arrested 2,782 others and rescued 1,854 kidnapped hostages in different operations during the third quarter.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this disclosure while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces, on Thursday, 26 September, 2024 in Abuja, the nation’s seat of pwer.
Buba said the military also recovered 1,304 weapons, 43,347 ammunitions comprising 688 AK47 rifles, 32,945 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 9,677 rounds of 7.62mm NATO among others during the quarter.
According to him, several terrorist kingpins, commanders and combatants were also killed in several offensive operations across the theatres of operations.
Those killed according to him, include: Munzir Arika, Sani Dilla (Dan Hausawan Jubillaram), Ameer Modu, Matawal Bitrus, Thomas Benedict, Mohammed Sani, Rimamy (aka Omo), Terkimbi Injoko and Jacob Uzege, Ibn Kasir.
“Others are Kachalla Dan Baleri, Kachallah Halilu (Buzu), Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Kachalla Basiru Zakarriya and Ofem Emmanuel Igwe among several others,” he said.
In the North East, Buba said that troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised a total of 792 terrorists, apprehended 606 suspects and rescued 476 kidnapped hostages.
The DHQ image-maker added that troops also recorded a total of 7,283 surrenders of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists combatants and their families as well as the recovery of several caches of arms and ammunition.
According to him, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted air interdictions to several terrorist enclaves which include Mandara Mountain, Maradun, and Southern Tumbun Fulani among others.
“The air interdictions conducted killed several terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants as well as destroyed their logistics dumps.
“Troops diminished the terrorist military capabilities by recovering 339 AK47 rifles, 58 fabricated rifles 9,653 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 3,147 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, among others,” he said.
In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised 122 violent extremists, nabbed 513 suspects and rescued 305 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered a cache of arms.
Under Operation Whirl Stroke, he said the troops eliminated 109 terrorists, apprehended 203 suspects and rescued 210 kidnapped hostages.
