The Defence Headquarters says Nigerian troops have, in one week, apprehended 304 suspected terrorists and 152 suspected oil thieves and eliminated 80 terrorists in various operations across the country.

DHQ spokesman Edward Buba announced this while briefing journalists on the operations of the armed forces across the country on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Buba said the operations also led to the rescue of 44 kidnapped victims and the recovery of 112 assorted weapons and 898 sets of ammunition within the week.

In the North-East, he said the Operation Hadin Kai troops killed 31 terrorists, arrested 16 and rescued five kidnap victims and recovered two GPMGs, nine AK-47 rifles, 132 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, among other items.

Mr Buba said 121 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their families, comprising five adult males, 41 adult females and 75 children, surrendered to the troops between November 29 and December 5.

In the North-Central, he said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke killed 10 terrorists, arrested 12 and rescued 36 kidnap victims within the week.

In the North-West, Mr Buba said the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch neutralised 15 terrorists, arrested 35 and rescued 13 kidnap victims, as well as recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition.

He said the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji carried out air interdictions following intelligence reports on newly uncovered terrorist kingpin Audu Lankai’s enclave in Jibia LGA of Katsina on December 3.

According to him, troops acquired and attacked the target with rockets and cannons with Battle Damage Assessment revealing that several terrorists were eliminated and structures destroyed.

In the South-South, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed eight dugout pits, 11 boats, 46 storage tanks, seven vehicles, 84 cooking ovens, 356 drums, one outboard engine, one pumping machine and 48 illegal refining sites.

He said the troops also recovered 81,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 239,500 litres of illegally refined AGO, 5,000 litres of diesel and 10,500 litres of petrol.

“Troops also apprehended 140 suspected oil thieves and other criminal elements as well as recovered 35 assorted ammunition, seven assorted weapons and two cutlasses, amongst others,” he said.

In the South-East, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA killed two “criminals”, arrested 78 suspected IPOB/ESN criminals and rescued five kidnap victims during the period.

He added that troops also recovered one AK-47 rifle, six pump action guns, two locally made pistols, one Dane gun, 18 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, four rounds of 9mm ammo, 25 live cartridges, one vehicle and five mobile phones amongst other items.

(NAN)