The Defence Headquarters has said Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the various theatre of operations across the country have neutralized 36 terrorists, rescued 130 civilians and arrested 46 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists as well as 12 suspected Islamic State of West Africa Province(ISWAP) logistic suppliers.
Speaking at the bi-weekly briefing on troops activities and operational successes recorded in the various operational theaters, in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations,
Major General Musa Danmadami said a total of 368 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province criminals and their families comprising of 53 adult males, 116 adult females and 214 children surrendered to troops at different locations in the theatre between 8 and 22 September 2022.
Danmadami disclosed that 21 AK47 rifles, 163 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2 RPG bombs, 25 dane guns, 4 unexplosive ordinance store, 2 bandoliers, 10 solar panels, 23 bicycles, 10 motorcycles, 1 tricycle, 19 cell phones, 28 torch lights, bags of assorted grains, 122 rustled sheep, and the sum of N203,125.00 were recovered among other items.
According to the DHQ, all recovered items, rescued civilians and apprehended suspected terrorists were handed over to the relevant authority for further action while surrendered Boko Haram Terrorists and their families are being profiled for further action.
“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI theatre of operation have sustained aggressive operations to deny terrorists further freedom of action. In furtherance to this, troops conducted fighting patrols, ambushes and clearance operations at communities, villages and towns in Kukawa, Monguno, Kaga, Dikwa, Biu, Damboa, Gwoza, Mafa, Konguda, Bama and Guzamala Local Government Areas all in Borno State.
“Of significant was the neutralization of 2 key Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province commander on the 12th and 15th September 2022 identified as Abu Asiya and Abu Ubaida (A Qaid) at Parisu and Sheruri general area in Sambisa forest respectively” he said
On the North East, the DMO noted that
Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI have continued to intensify offensive actions against terrorists and other criminal elements in their operational environment.
Within the period under review, the troops arrested 2 suspected terrorists collaborators at Access Bank, PZ Branch in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State while trying to withdraw the sum of Fourteen Million Naira (14,000,000.00) deposited into the account of one Alhaji Abubakar a suspected terrorist financier.
For the air component of Operation WHIRL PUNCH, it has been successful the onslaught against terrorists, “as an air interdiction operation was carried out on 8 September 2022 at an identified terrorists hideout at Gaude in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The Director said “Intelligence report confirmed that the location was usually used by the terrorists for planning their nefarious activities.
“It was further revealed that all the attacks around Shiroro were orchestrated from this location and consequently, the hideout was bombarded. Feedback, revealed that several terrorists were neutralized with others fleeing with various degrees of injuries”.
Major General Danmadami further revealed that “2 suspected gun runners enroute Onitsha to Abuja were arrested by personnel of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency along Okene-Lokoja road in Kogi State. Items recovered from the suspects were 12 pump action guns and 374 cartridges. The arrested suspects and recovered items were handed over to the Nigerian Police for further action’.
Speaking on the South West Zone, the DMO said “troops in conjunction with the Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on 18 September 2022 raided a suspected drug barons residence at Solebo Estate, Ipakodo in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State.
During uring the operation the DMO Director asserted that “troops arrested 4 suspected drug barons and a foreign national with 1,855kg of substance, suspected to be cocaine worth about Two Hundred and Seventy Eight Million Dollars ($278,250,000.00) equivalent of about N184,700,000,000.00.
Consequently, troops recovered 1,953 bags of 50kg foreign rice, 212 jerrycans of 30 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 2 vehicles, 2 wooden boats and 1 motorcycle as well as arrested 3 suspected smugglers within the period under review.
While conveying the military high command commendations on the troops efforts in the various theatres of operation across the Country, the DHQ urged the general public to continue to provide prompt and creditable information on the activities of enemies of the nation.
