The Defense Headquarters (DHQ) has said that the troops killed 49 terrorists and bandits in the theaters of operations, while 863 terrorists surrendered in the last two weeks.
The Director of Defense Media Operations,. Bernard Onyeuko, a major general, made it known while giving an update on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.
Onyeuko said that “Operation Hadin Kai” troops neutralized 37 terrorists, arrested 17 and recovered 21 assorted weapons and 117 rounds of ammunition of different calibers.
He added that four armed trucks were seized from the terrorists while 16 kidnapped civilians were rescued within the period.
Onyeuko said that the 863 terrorists and their families, 136 adult men, 251 adult women and 476 children, surrendered to the troops.
He said that they surrendered in different places including Banki, Bama, Dikwa, Gwoza and Gamboru villages in Borno within the period.
“The surrendered terrorists have been properly profiled and handed over to the proper authorities for necessary action.
“Relatively, the Air Component scored devastating hits on the terrorists’ stronghold in the village of Arina Chiki in the Lake Chad Basin of Borno State.
“This resulted in the neutralization of dozens of terrorists, while several others escaped with varying degrees of injury.
“This feat was achieved on January 14, when, on the heels of credible intelligence, a NAF platform force package was dispatched to attack the identified location used by terrorists as a venue for bi-weekly meetings.
“Consequently, NAF platforms eliminated terrorists in successful turns of air strikes,” he said.
On Operation Hadarin Daji, Onyeuko said that the troops eliminated 12 bandits and arrested 15, including their collaborators, within the period.
He added that 16 assorted weapons and 136 ammunition cartridges of different calibers were recovered, as well as 114 stolen animals.
According to him, the troops recovered three additional AK-47 rifle magazines and four motorcycles from the bandits, while three kidnapped victims were rescued in the course of the operations.
Mr. Onyeuko revealed that Operation Safe Haven troops arrested 27 criminal elements and rescued six kidnapped victims at various locations in Plateau and Kaduna states during the period.
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He added that in the course of their operations they recovered five weapons and 69 ammunition of different calibers, among other elements of security concern.
The spokesman further said that Operation Whirl Stroke troops detained five criminals and held peace and security meetings with community and youth leaders and other critical stakeholders.
According to him, this is a non-kinetic means of addressing insecurity.
(YAYA)