The Nigerian military in the last week has eliminated 147 terrorists, apprehended 381 suspects and rescued 113 kidnapped hostages across the country.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this disclosure known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday, 15 August, 2024 in Abuja.
Buba said the troops recovered 74 assorted weapons and 3,498 ammunition, comprising one dushka, one RPG bomb, one RPG charger, 42 AK47 rifles, 10 fabricated rifles, and 13 Dane guns.
“Also recovered are one FN rifle, one revolver pistol, one locally made pistol, 27 magazines, one AK47 dummy rifle, one AK47 top cover and one baofeng radio.
“Others are 288 rounds RG55 ammo, 40 rounds CJ95 ammo, 2,466 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 470 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 73 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, and 112 rounds of 7.62x39mm.
“They also include 42 live cartridges, six vehicles, 32 motorcycles and eight mobile phones amongst other items.
“During the week under review, troops neutralised 147 and arrested 381 persons. Troops also arrested 23 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 113 kidnapped hostages,’’ he said.
In the North East, Buba said that troops of Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised 81 terrorists, arrested 52 suspects, and rescued 34 kidnapped hostages.
He said that a total of 94 terrorists comprising 19 adult males, 26 adult females, and 49 children, surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations.
In the North Central, Buba said troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke, neutralised 17 insurgents, arrested 101 violent extremists, and rescued 23 kidnapped hostages within the week.
In North West, he said the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch neutralised 39 terrorists, apprehended 192 suspects, and rescued 50 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered a cache of arms.
In the South South, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 920,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 88,760 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 7,500 litres of PMS.
He added that troops discovered and destroyed 15 dugout pits, 17 boats, 62 drums, one receiver, and 27 storage tanks as well as 84 illegal refining sites.
“Troops neutralised one terrorist and apprehended 23 suspected oil thieves and other violent extremists and also recovered nine assorted weapons, 10 magazines, and 63 assorted ammunitions,’’ he said.
