the Defense Headquarters He said on Thursday that Operation Hadin Kai troops had eliminated 14 terrorists in the past two weeks and arrested 15 others.
Briefing reporters in Abuja, Defense Media Operations Director Bernard Onyeuko, a Major General, said the achievement came after military operations in Nigeria’s northeastern region between May 19 and 2 of June.
Onyeuko said 100 family members of terrorists in the northeast, including 33 women and 67 children, were also rescued by troops.
He said that the troops together with the Civilian Joint Task Force, on May 22, dealt a deadly blow to the terrorists in Amdaga, Balazola, Ndakaine, Jango, Sabah and Gobara in the Gwoza local government area of Borno state.
Onyeuko said the hideouts of Boko Haram and Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the area were also leveled and cleared during the encounter.
He added that the terrorists fled in disarray due to the troops’ superior firepower, abandoning their properties and relatives.
The defense spokesman further said that the troops also recovered a dump truck belonging to the Borno State Highway Maintenance Agency.
The vehicle, he said, would have been stolen by terrorists in February 2021, but was recovered on May 23, on the old Mars highway.
Mr. Onyeuko further said that troops patrolling in Ashigashiya, Kodele and Apagaluwa in the Gwoza local government area, encountered terrorist herdsmen, who engaged the former in a fierce firefight.
“The terrorists fled because of the fire superiority of the troops, while the troops recovered 40 sheep.
“In addition, on May 31, troops repelled a terrorist attack on the Arege firm base in the local government area of Abadam en Borno, inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorists while others fled in disorder.
“Cumulatively, troops recovered 10 AK-47 rifles, five AK-56 rifles, two FN rifles, 227 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, seven AK 47 magazines, and one PKM pistol.
“Also recovered: an AA pistol, 164 rounds of AA ammunition, 111 Shilka ammunition, a gun truck, a Shilka cannon, two Dane pistols, two improvised explosive devices, a car engine, four trolleys and a water pump.
“The troops also rescued 100 relatives of terrorists, among whom were 33 women.
“The troops also neutralized 14 terrorists and arrested 15.
“Consequently, all relatives of arrested and rescued terrorists and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action,” he said.
Mr. Onyeuko said that sustained efforts have been made to build on the successes achieved so far in the various theaters.
(YAYA)
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