The Defence Headquarters says the military has eliminated no fewer than 86 terrorists and other criminals and apprehended 101 others in different operations across the country in the last week.

DHQ spokesman Edward Buba said this while giving an update on the military operations on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Buba said the troops had, in the last week, focussed on striking terrorists’ enclaves from air attacks and also exerted significant superior power on areas where the terrorists were hibernating.

According to him, the operations resulted in 86 killed terrorists, with 101 of them arrested and 21 kidnapped people rescued.

He said the troops also recovered 111 assorted weapons and 1,124 assorted ammunition comprising 65 AK47 rifles, one HK G3 gun, one G3 rifle, eight locally fabricated guns and 15 Dane guns.

According to the DHQ, the troops also recovered two fabricated rifles, one locally made pistol, one English pistol, one pump action gun, two auto pump action guns, and two single barrel guns.

Others were 14 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 993 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, five rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, five rounds of 7.62mm x 39mm and 99 live cartridges.

“Troops also recovered one round of 9mm ammo, two bandoliers, two fabricated swords, 13 magazines, five vehicles, 29 motorcycles, six bicycles, mobile phones and one GTA radio, amongst other items,” Mr Buba said.

In the North-East, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 20 terrorists, apprehended four and rescued 40 kidnapped persons, as well as recovered a cache of arms.

He said the air component conducted air interdiction on the terrorists’ logistics base in the Sambisa general area on January 5, killing several terrorists and destroying their logistics.

Mr Buba added that similar air strikes were conducted on terrorists’ settlements on the outskirts of the Tumbuns in the Lake Chad region on January 6 with rockets and cannons.

According to him, battle damage assessment revealed that several terrorists were killed and logistics destroyed in the air strike.

“Between January 3 and January 9, a total of 111 BH/ISWAP terrorists and their families comprising four adult males, 38 adult females and 69 children surrendered to troops within the theatre operations,” said the DHQ spokesman.

In the North-West, Mr Buba said the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch neutralised 69 terrorists, arrested 25 and rescued 63 hostages within the week.

He added that the air component conducted air interdiction on notorious terrorist Kingpin Ado Aliero’s enclave in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara.

According to him, the terrorists were led by a leader identified as Isuhu Dogo, an associate and sibling of the notorious Aliero.

“After a confirmatory ISR, the location was acquired and attacked with bombs and rockets. Feedback revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their structures destroyed,” stated the defence official. “Another air interdiction at terrorist kingpin Hamisu Mopol’s enclave in Danmusa local government area of Katsina state killed several terrorists and structures were destroyed.”

In the North-Central, the troops of Operation Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke arrested 21 violent extremists and rescued 27 kidnapped people, Mr Buba said.

(NAN)